High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Are We Sure We Want Homefield Advantage In The Playoffs?

Episode Date: September 11, 2026

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies dropping a home series to the Astros to cap off another disappointing homestand. Presented by Miller Lite.

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The crowd is singing high hope. I feel a little less alone. Oh, ha. This is another edition of the IOS podcast. Sponsed by Miller Light, official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies. T's like Miller Time Philadelphia celebrate responsibly. Fritzy, annoying series.

Like obviously yesterday was super awesome with the Schwerver Slam and the, you know, 4-0, 6-4 comebacks and all that. But I got to tell you, there was nothing more painful than being no-hip by Javier for, for four whatever innings. It was just like enough already. All right, enough. I don't need to be reminded of this horrific experience that I had in my life.

Like, could we just, like, get a hit off him in the first inning? So I don't have to, like, see the freaking box score every and be like, come on. Enough, enough. Annoying Day. Wheeler was good. I liked it, Madding. He left him out there to get that last out in the seventh. Just an annoying series.

How you doing, pal? I agree with the boomers. I agree with them. I agree with them for the first time. There's a baseball today. not played the right way. Oh, no. Oh, no.

Stop running the third base on a ground ball to the shortstop. Oh, my goodness. It's every, it's bad. It's not even the Phillies all the time. It's the other teams, too. Every single game, these guys have no idea out around the bases and I'm sick and tired of it. We need an emergency meeting.

There is an epidemic in baseball, and it is base running specifically. figuring out, hey, ball at shortstop, don't move. Ball to right of shortstop. Don't move. Ball left of shortstop, you can go to third base. I swear I have never seen it this bad in my life. Not even last year, two years. This year, they all just have decided when the ball,

we don't know what's going to happen when the ball is hit the shortstop. It's insanity. The Tuesday game. Really Tuesday and Wednesday were such a microcosm of this Philly's like era of baseball. Tuesday, for all the bad base running moments

we've had over the last five years with this group of four years or whatever you want to say and certainly this season, to have all three of those happen in big spots where if any one of those doesn't happen, the game is tied. Any one of the bone one,

the Morse one, the Sosa one anyone happens you're probably tied there like it was infuriating and I they were all bad obviously the Sosa one is the worst I mean it just is you can't stand there and watch it but we know that happens but still I mean it's just

there's no worse look in this sport I think the Marzman is worse I think so that's where I'm going Jack so that's where I'm going I'm sub because here's what like the social one's worse you know whatever it is but the social one's just like

People are going to be annoying because, like, oh, we didn't hustle. Like, I get it. And he should. And he should. He should never do that. He should never stare at it. He should hustle. The March one was so bleeping stupid, man.

Like, that was like baseball 101. I agree with people. The social one is worse because you have to hustle and it's stupid and all that. But I was more angered by the Marsh one. The Marsh one was so freaking dumb, man. How are you halfway down the baseline on a blind drive? What the hell was that? What was that?

I mean, he, he, do you point out last at the time that the struggles he's had, the numbers, the extra base hit things since August 1st or 13th or whatever hell it was? The stupidity is what drives me crazy. Like the biggest thing with this team, and we've talked so much, and we know what the deal is, they need to get hot and, you know, they need to pitch well and it needs to just click at the right time. But this team is not good enough to do stupid crap like this, man. Like, there is nothing going to be. nothing that will be more infuriating than if and when this team loses a playoff series

because of dumb crap. Yeah, I think the thing that is really hitting me after the Astro series, last night, great. Monday or Tuesday night was just a bunch of missed opportunities. And really, it's the brave series. And they fought back too. It was annoying too because they were down five nothing that one, right? Yeah.

Well, uh, yeah. Five nothing? Yeah. Yeah. So what's really been annoying about this homestand, is it does start giving you some agita, I guess, about October, because you are facing better pitching, which I think we can coincide their offensive surge in August

to playing a bit of a weaker schedule. And now that they are facing better pitching, we are seeing them revert back to our good old pals, the Philadelphia Phillies. And so, like the thing that really hits me off of just this entire homestand is offense, still a worry. I think there's some signs. I appreciate the way they fight.

I think they do fight. I think they come back in games. They are horrendous in day games. That is bearing itself more true by the week. I don't know how they're going to get the ball to Duran. And Duran is the biggest concern. As dumb as the base running is, as inconsistent as the lineup is, the bullpen is still the biggest concern. And Duran can't pitch in a tie game, but also there's no one else to go to.

So you have to pitch them in tie game. Two in a row, right? Yes, yes, yes. So you have, there's a big, I wouldn't say inability, but question marks about how you can get the ball to Duran and the 9th. And then on top of that, you have just dumb baseball. They are not a strong defensive team. They have deficiencies in center field,

which feels like in the last week have really started to rear its ugly head. The Altuva ball last night that Altuva got is 2,500. hit on congratulations Jose Altube a future Hall of Famer someone asked me today is he Hall of Famer yeah he's a Hall of Famer yeah the only thing that will could hold him back in the cheating yeah but he's a numbers wise he is like a stone cold lock of all time in the playoff numbers too it just as easy again the cheating thing is the is the question and I'm sorry that he had to go through Hunter Brown having a meltdown on the mound and and showing him up which is insane for Hunter Brown to show up Jose Altuve and then Hunter Brown not covering home plate.

Another thing that boomers are right about is that no one covers the bases anymore. Oh my goodness. Like just cover the base. Whatever. Whatever. Whatever. But you're starting this. It's the warts of this team.

And we try not to do the like this is going to bite them in October thing. We're close enough to October that we can do that now. I mean, we're 16 games left, 15 games left this season, whatever, yeah. It's all I think about besides price hitting 30 homers is, and I think about it. Yes, those are the two things that I'm thinking about too. It's just the three pillars of this team, the bad offense against better pitching, the inability to get through on the ball, and the dumb baseball.

And all of it has happened in this homestand. And what makes it frustrating, James, is it could have been a... I mean, they could have won all three, but certainly two and three, certainly two and three. They could have won all three of this one easily. They could have, they should have taken three or four against the Braves. Yeah, they're looking at a very different position right now. Yeah. You're looking at an unbelievable homestand versus just like a, well, that's disappointing.

So, and those are the little things that you hope that they can clean up. And we'll see by October, but. But like that's the thing that's hitting me today is the three facets of the team that we are the worried the most about are starting to show up again at the wrong time. Yeah. And the thing that like the lineup is frustrating because we we just saw that they can have a better approach. Like they lack talent and they lack, you know, they are not a bona fide, you know, sluggers lineup or anything like that. They like power. We know that they have some flaws in the line, but we know that they could be better.

So that's incredibly frustrating. The bridge to Duran just sucks, but it's not like I expect anything else. You know, I'm just hoping for better. The thing that's so frustrating about the base running is like, that's the biggest thing in their control. Like that, we look at the other stuff and say, yeah, they should have a better approach,

but they are who they are as hitters. And you hope they get hot and a lot. The base training stuff doesn't have to happen. Like that is pure, not attention to detail, not being locked in on the game, making stupid decisions, not learning from past mistakes. And again, like I just, I can't emphasize enough. This team's not good enough for it.

They're just not good enough for it. The Dodgers can get away with a few base running mistakes. The Phillies can't. They just can't. There's too little margin forever. I mean, we're going to face the Cubs. I mean, that team freaking rakes, Jack. What do they lead the league in like every offensive category practically?

I mean, we're talking about a lineup that goes cold for games at a time. It's not like the Cubs have the best pitching staff ever. You know, I do think they can hit the Cubs. But the Cubs are going to score runs on this bullpen. Like, bullstop. Yeah, I mean, I think the biggest thing you got to, like Don, when he has his pregame meeting with the team, he has to let them know, today's not a getaway day. So we. Please, guys, seriously.

As long as they're not. You don't think they'll treat game one in Wrigley as a getaway day or? Yeah. As long as his team knows, it's not a getaway day. I think they should be okay. Because getaway days, they are atrocious. Technically, today's not even a getaway. It's just a regular, regular old Thursday day game.

Yeah, you're right. Yeah. That they pretty much no-showed. And yes, Christian Javier must have felt like it was 22 all over again. Christian Javier has been atrocious for three seasons ever since 2022. And the Phillies made it seem like he was prime Christian Javier today. And not the most fun experience to go through, believe it or not. I do believe it, man.

I do believe it. And it's frustrating, too, because we've really had some great moments. on this homestown. I mean, obviously the Schwerber slam was freaking awesome. And that was a great comeback. And it's four, four, and then they lose a couple. And it's six four. And you're like, oh, man. And then you, and look, they walk, they got to walk, walk to run in. Like, they were taking pitches there. I saw that guy in the front. It's like, oh, crazy. Don't swing. Like, it was great. Like, I, they are an incredibly frustrating team to watch. And, you know, it's, look, again, to do the thing. Like, it's, you just kind of hope that they get hot. Like, I don't think, I don't

think they're going to have a great approach in the playoffs. Like maybe they have games. Yeah, exactly. Listen, listen, the true simple fact of the matter is this. And this is the best, the best analysis you're going to hear on any single Philly's podcast

in the universe. We have no idea how this is going to go. Like anyone that has some definitive idea of how it's going to, literally, until they roll the ball out and play, I have no idea what they're going to do.

They could either go to the World Series or at least make the LCS. Or lose it in the first two games. They could lose two nothing to the Cubs. Easy. They could lose two games out there. Ten and an eight spot. It's over.

And here's how it would go. Here's how it would go. Lazzardo pitches game won like we all hope and pray for. He gives you seven innings one run. It's a one one game. A one one. And then it's five with five one. Yeah.

Or even worse, they have a 3-1 lead heading into the 8. Oh, yeah. Or, no, they bring a Lazzardo out for the seventh. And it's a 3-1 game. And all of a sudden there's a first and second one out. They pull them and all of a sudden is a 3-3 ball game. And, yeah, I just, this year, we've simplified it in the past.

But this year, more than almost any of like, like 24, I felt like they were going to lose. Last year, I felt like they got a shot, but the Dodgers are obviously daunting. This year. And when Peter got hurt. it really did suck everything out of it. And there was like, you know, some juice with Wheeler being out of, of win it for wheels and stuff like that. This year is such a crapshoot that I have no idea what it's going to happen in October.

I'm just hoping and praying that it is normal baseball and not Philly's baseball. How about this? How about this for, as a way to dive into talking about something that's happened on this homestand with how ridiculous and unpredictable everything's been? have no idea. I agree with you. I think you said it perfect. I think it is the most apt and pressure, you know, breakdown of their situation so far. Like no idea what's going to happen. With that in mind, could Trey Turner go on a run, Fritzy? Could this be the moment? Trace turning it on and then all of a sudden, Trey Turner turns his whole Philadelphia narrative around

with a playoff run and brings us to the promised land. Come on. Come on. Not mine trying the tray situation. The tray situation is, I'll believe it when I see it. Hey, I'll believe it when he's in the world series and has done it the whole playoffs. And even then, I'll probably be like, he's probably going to kill us the end.

Hoping and praying, obviously. And signs of life, for sure. And like opposite field home run. Has he hit one of those all year? I mean, yes, but I understand your point. The, and I do think he's got a little bit more

plate coverage and even today. He's swatted some balls the other way. A Schwabler High Street at the right time. Harper cooling off a bit but still smoked cold balls today. Just right at people. I don't know. James made the stars. The stars are going to get the stars. Also, also a rise.

He started to do the each year-o thing. I don't know if you've noticed this. And I'm very here for it. Instead of doing his not, dude, the Louis-sur-rise week pop-up to the outfield. was starting to really, really. We got one of those today to the left fielder. It's really fun. That last of bat.

It was great. But you know he's starting to do also is like just like almost go towards the pitcher a little bit and just rip it down a left field line. And I feel like each row used to do that all the time. So if Arise wants to do that and just play pepper with the left field line, then I'll take that every single day of the week. Because I'm getting just about sick and tired of the arise week pop-ups. because guess what they have no chance of ever going out even though he's at you know technically two home runs as a philly but that was a long time ago that was a long time ago yeah yeah i remember when everyone's like oh the fly balls in in san francisco they're going to turn to homers here well it turns out that probably his weak little bleaters that fell in in san francisco are not falling in with a much smaller outfield uh here so might be might be a different situation than we were getting a bit of a tough break bit of a tough break for the But big hit last night to tie the ball game.

Sure. I got the first hit today so they didn't get no hit by Chris. Scott the first run. Yeah, it was nice. It was very needed in that moment. That's for sure. Drink up, baby. Fantasy Football Happy Hour is here to get you wins and have some laughs. Matthew Berry here and my podcast, Fantasy Football Happy Hour has the sleepers bus and starts in advice you need to win your league. We're diving into the tape. We're crunching the numbers to bring you sleepers bus weekly starts sit advice, whether you're defending a title or desperately avoiding last place, I've got you covered every single weekday. The bar is open.

It's fantasy football happy hour with Matthew Barry, wherever you get your podcast. Wheels look good. Sanchez didn't do that. Let's do that. Let's do the wheels. Sid, look, Luzardo again. We don't need to get in now.

Freaking lights out. That guy is. He's been amazing. Where are you at with the, and Painter was obviously not great on Monday either. I know. Well, I know we had to break in. news to you that Lazzardo pitched on Monday.

Yes. I, I, all right. Hey, it was Labor Day. It was long weekend. I was recording a pot after a game, which we've done. It's funny, two in a row. It's like, we've done three all year. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yep. So, yeah. So for Seltzer, Lizarro, the weekend, shut out. Anyway. But, um, yeah.

So Sanchez, you know, we talked, like, Tucker and I talked about a little bit last night. But, uh, I, I think go back and rewatch. this morning because obviously I was driving the boys around last night as I was as he. Of course you were. Well, yeah, it's like, you know, base hit after base hit and, you know, he allows a home run and then immediately another run after that. And it's like, well, this is just the worst drive of all time. And the thing that's going on with with Sanchez is, and I just hope it's one of those things where I don't know if there's anything they can do really. You just kind of kind of, kind of,

keep working at it and and get to the bullpen, getting to the lab and figure it out. But dude, he is just missing his spot with his fastball by feet. Like he has no idea where that pitch is going. Like, thank God. Thank God he has that change up. Because if he didn't have that change up, he would be getting smoked. And he's already getting hit a pretty good amount. I mean, I would love to know the amount of hits that he is allowed in each start

after the 50 and two-thirds scoreless streak, which, by the way, is totally propping up his war and everything else and stuff like that, because he has just looked more shaky than not. And we talked a lot about he would do like six innings, three runs or seven or six innings and two runs, but a lot of traffic on the base pass and he's worried about it. You would just worry about in one of those spots the damn kind of breaking and a lot of those runs getting in. and he had done a good job of limiting that. But when you watch him right now early in the game,

it's just he's missing by so much with that pitch, and it's getting hit at a way higher clip. And, you know, the slider is not a, and not and should not be a get me over pitch. It's got to be a pitch that you hunt with two strikes to be a little bit of a sequence change up for these guys. So, you know, the changeup is such a good pitch that he's going to be able to get out with it.

But until that fastball command comes back, he's just not going to be the same guy. He generated six whiffs last night. Six. That's not Chris Sanchez. Chris Sanchez is a million whiffs in a start. And the way he's going right now, I think I mentioned it last night, but my biggest fears, is they put him into a, they start him game one because he's Chris Sanchez. And you're down to four nothing in the third inning, yeah.

Like all of a sudden, it all catches up to him. The poor command, the traffic on the base paths, the walks. Especially against the Cubs, dude. I mean, geez. I know. I know. Who I kind of, kind of hope they, I kind of want to go to Rakely. I do, too.

I don't know why. I wanted to be here. It just said, look, the fact that the, and we talked about this, but the fact that I know both teams have missed the playoffs so many years in their existence, but the fact that both teams have been around for 150 years and they've never. played the playoffs. I mean, the Phillies have never played in Wrigley in the playoffs. Like that that's cool, man. Like, I'm sorry as a baseball fan. I'm with, look, I, home is better. I get it. I don't know if it is. But I don't know. And you're right. Look, maybe they need the road thing. Look with the one time. They went to the World Series. They had that road thing. They talked about that mattered. They bonded.

And it was like a thing. So like you, it's possible. But just as a baseball fan, I mean, watching the Phillies play in the playoffs and Wrigley, like, let's go, dude. Let's go. I kind of want the road. I kind of want the road from the standpoint of I think they do better. I think they do better silencing other crowds rather than lifting up their home crowd. What a turn we've had, yes. I know because like we do the whole CBP thing in Red October. And while I totally agree, it's fun.

Yeah, they've talked out. They get, they want to get pressure and they want to hit one out and they want to have the pop and all that. But I think, I think they chase the moment too much at home. And I agree. And if they go on the road and win that first round series, I think gives them momentum rather than just starting the series at home and trying to get it going in their own way. Because I think with them at home, if they go down early,

the place gets super, super tight. Whereas if you're on the road, you can make the other ballpark tight. Wrigley gets tight. I mean, I remember the 15 tight ballpark every year after 16. tight ballpark. Now, losing a game and having to hear the whole crowd saying Go Cubs Go would send me up a wall, even though I love Goubs Go. It's a great song. What a great song. Dude, the 16 playoff run where they were

saying Go Cubs Go, I couldn't have been more jealous of the whole Wrigley experience and what it was like. But I just think there's something about this team on the road trying to play spoiler than being the big dogs at home. Because I don't know if they got big dog energy. I think they like the under dog energy. I don't know if they got, I don't know if they got big dog bite. They're going to be the underdog in every series. I mean, I guess if they're home, they're home against the Cubs. Yeah, they'll be the favorites. But like, yeah, you're right, but still, uh, you know, plus swarber back in Chicago. Uh, I think Bryce is,

I think Bryce is better on the road than he is at home. I think there's a little, I mean, Lizarro is the best road pitcher in like the history of the Phillies. You're, you're automatically up one nothing. Uh, now watch. Now watch. Well, they start, well, they but start him in game one? I think they should. I don't, I really don't think they're going to. I would especially because you could bring him back game three. I think he could be an inning in game three.

Like he's shown that he can go a day or two off and then pitch. If they don't start game one, Lazardo on the road and Wrigley, I will end up on the news. I think it would be a disaster to not start him. I think we've gotten to that point. Like Wheeler, I can at least understand. If Wheeler's pitching the way he's pitching now,

going in the past saying, hey, it's Zach frigging Wheeler, he is literally one of the great playoff pitchers of all time. He gets the ballgame on. I'm not going to freak out about that. Like, I would be okay with that. But I think, especially based on the fact you could get Lozardo in inning on Lazardo in game three, I think you have to start Lozaro. I, he's about to be

10 and no with an ERA in the 1.7s on the road. Like, it's just, at some point, you got to roll with what you got. And especially, yeah, I don't know. They, I have this fear. They won't. I don't. I am, I will say it now. It's September 10, I would be shocked.

I would be absolutely floored if they start Lozardo game one. Yeah, I would be too. I would be too. So I think I'm officially, I have officially talked myself into Go Cubs Go. Let's get the five seed. Is that the title of the bottom? I hope people would get it.

I officially talked to myself into GoCubs go. What's going on with this guy? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I need the road, I think. I think I need the road. I don't hate it. I think I need the road. I think I need the road.

They need something different. Like there's got to be different mojo this playoff. We've done this too many times in a row now. The only time it worked was when they started on the road for the three game series. Let's just roll with that, man. See what happens. 23 worked at home, but you're also facing a Marlins team.

Like, come on. Yeah. Yeah. The playoffs didn't work that year, you know? Yeah. They mostly worked. They mostly worked. Not real.

Until it was dead. Until it was dead October. The worst experience I've had in that ballpark maybe. Oh, wait. No, it wasn't. Well, not even for you. You were in the building for game 5 and 11. Would you stop?

Well, yeah, you're right. I was asking for it. Yeah, you're right. Yeah, don't be dramatic. Don't sensationalize things. You would never do that. You would never do that. Don't sensationalize on this podcast.

I never would do that. Yeah. So, yeah, so that's the official take is Go Cups Go. Now, Sanchez, yeah. Dude, I thought Wheeler was awesome, and it was, it was, he touched 97 a couple times, which was great. He, the fastball had life back. Because I think last podcast, I think I said he was like 85% Wheeler. Yes, that's exactly what you said.

Good, but good, but not Wheeler, Wheeler. I thought today was about as Wheeler, wheeler as he has been in a long stretch. And it's clear that they've worked on his mechanics because I think his, I think his arm's slab was dropping a little bit. And he had to get back on top of the baseball. And it's wild how such a little like you know a dud inch or whatever and just moving your arms lot or whatever can make such a difference. Well, that's such a the like scientific level of the mechanics and like the exact nature of it is really amazing. Well, think about a crazy pitching is is your body has to do the same thing over and over and and if it's off by just a little bit. That's my point. It's like golf in that way. Yeah.

It is. It is like golf. Pretty dang good at both. I'm just kidding. But yeah. And that's where I don't, that's where I don't want to like cast off Chris Sanchez because I think it's just a mechanical tweak. Like I think his mechanic.

And I cannot explain to you what is going on with him mechanically. Like I don't think that would be fair to anyone out there listening. But I don't see a guy who is wearing down. I mean, some of the velocities down a little bit. But I think the velocity is down more because. he's so spooked by the fastball command that he wants to at least try to get in the zone because if he's just in the zone with the fastball,

then he can play the change up off of it. But that's where I think with Sanchez, I just have confidence that Cotham in the last 15 and what three starts he probably has left, that they're going to get him right mechanically. But as it stands right now, like if the season ended today,

I can't tell you I have a ton of faith in him heading into a postseason start. And for me and my money, the guy that is the most pitching war in baseball, who is going to finish top three in Say Young, he's my game three starter. Like, he is my game three starter.

If I'm on the road in Chicago, I want Lizardo game one, Wheeler game two, Sanchez game three, which is crazy. It's wild to say it, wild. Given how his season has gone, and some of the stuff that he is, the highs that he has reached this year.

But I do not trust that guy right now in a big game, which sucks because I love Chris Sanchez. But the traffic on the base pass, the heightened intensity of October, bad fastball command, I would roll with Lazardo and Wheeler. Yeah, I don't think it's a question, but I don't know that they will.

I get that it's a tough move to make with how great Sanchez has been the last couple of years and how he did look he was your game one starter last year he pitched great in in the second you know he wasn't amazing in the first start but he was really good in the second one and you know he so like he's had moments he was a Cy Young frontrunner for a while you'll still be yet to your point top five in Cy Young I think it'd be insane to start him over Wheeler or Lozardo I think it would be like malpractice honestly I think it'd be malpractice at this point like it's insane like you can't unless he totally his last couple starts of the season like to your point the mechanics get get

and he looks like his old self and he has two great outings, then maybe we have a different discussion, but I think it'd be, I think it'd be crazy. I can't believe they're going to, most likely, I can't believe they're most likely going to waste his pitching stuff again. I know.

These guys are, these guys are so good. They're going to have three top 10 and sell young guys. And, and, you know, Wheeler, if he didn't have the five-star stretch there where he was bad,

is he could be top five as well. I mean, he had a 2.1. 16ERA, I believe. 24, 16, something like that. He was right in there. Right at the Dodgers start. And the Dodgers start where it kind of just started petering a little bit. Very teetering a little bit.

But yeah, no. I think both work. Either way. Either way. Never a doubt we got there. A linguist. Yes, you know me. So, yeah, I mean, that's just where we're at. And, you know, Painter on Monday, they kind of jumped them. and I didn't like I think his fastball is good at all

and again that looks more mechanical than anything else and I think that they're going to go and work on that and he'll be right back in on his good stuff next time he's out there. Love it, love it. All right, take back in a second and an announcement coming up in a minute. But Jack, you know this now.

You do know this now, but people listening might not. So I'm not saying when I say you here, I'm not speaking directly to you, Jack. I'll speak to everyone. Now you too, but you already know. So when I say, Did you know, not just you, Jack, everyone listening. Did you know that one and three people regularly suffer from nausea?

So here's my question. Here's my question. Please. Can I, will this help me get through a possible seventh and eighth inning? I knew you were going to go here. You're the two run lead. Yeah. I don't know that it's been tested for that, but it does feel like it works for hangovers.

So, you know, I mean, come on. It kind of sounds like something we should beta test in the postseason. It does relief band help with. with postseason stress. This is phenomenal. Maybe we will bet it does. I love this. But it is true that one and three people

regularly supplementage. And you know my wife, family is one of those people. It's been a horrible, horrible thing in our lives. I mean, it's exercise and pain tolerance. Every time we're in the car,

she's sick, green, head between her legs. I mean, I have so many memories of driving along with music playing and just looking over

at a heap of pain next to me. We don't talk. We don't interact. Cruise. the water, not even a pot. Like we couldn't even think about it. Don't even think about it, buddy. And that was until relief fan came into our life,

for us, relief ban's been an absolute miracle. People always say to me like, and look, I get it. There are all kinds of things that people talk. Oh, is that really true? It really worked. I swear to you, like on my life that this has been a life-changing thing for us. We drive around and Emily is totally fine.

Zero sickness, zero nausea, nothing. We're talking about taking a cruise in the future. My daughter and I have a joy, like joyful time riding around with her. It has been an absolute miracle for us, life-changing, zero discomfort for her. Relief band is 100% natural, no pills, no side effects, and it works in just minutes. Relief band stops nausea from motion sickness, morning sickness, meds like GLP ones. It even works for nausea from hangovers and pending potentially Philly's playoff nausea. That's on the table.

We're going to figure that out. So put relief fan on your wrist and turn nausea off. Go to relief fan.com. Use promo code James. That's J-A-M-E-S for 20% off. The leaf band.com promo code. James. All right, Fritzy, quick announcement before the take bag.

Yeah. I didn't know if we were done or not with the high-hopes events for the season. We're not. We're not. One more, buddy. One last bash to end the season from a high-obs perspective. September 17th, that is one week from today. Next Thursday.

We will be coming to, hold on a little drum roll. The borough. The borough in Downingtown. about it. Check it out on Lancaster Ave in Downing Town. We will be there next Thursday night, the 17th, Philly's action. And I believe Phillies, Washington maybe, if I'm not mistaken, but we can look that up pretty quickly. But the Phillies will be playing. We're going to be hanging out, Miller Light specials. We'll be doing trivia for tickets to give away. Mets. Oh, even better. We get to watch and beat the Mets. A beautiful thing. And it was an L.E's team.

So coming out, it's going to be awesome. We'll tell you more about it next week. but the borough in downing town one week from night september 17th philly's baseball thursday night football hangs it's going to be awesome coming out with us all right fritzie take that yeah down and down good uh the borough good spot uh good a nice nice close spot to my house which you know should be easy for me well hey it's about time i got one it's like 20 minutes but you know it's like an hour and 20 minutes for you but it'll be great it'll be great hell yeah hell yeah a lot of fun's little stuff in in downtown Yeah, so like nothing crazy, crazy in the take back. The one thing that will 100% and is eventually going to come back to just bite them in the rear end is their continued usage of Alvarado in.

Oh, my God. It's unbelievable. And he's been bailed out the last two times by double plays. It's like a life on him. I'm wired, dude. It's unbelievable. Every time they go to him, he's warming up. And I'm like, what is happening?

Brooks really is not a Philly anymore. huh did they cut him or something it's not like Brooks has been great but I do think he is a no but still it's like why you give him a chance in one of these spots it's like automatic it's Alvarano in every eighth inning it's like oh let's go to Jose

they their confidence and borderline stubbornness about him it's like for the sake of the team I hope he is somewhere else next year it's almost reached it's not as bad as Seth Johnson

but But I just, I do not enjoy the Jose Alvarado experience on the mound anymore. So, um, I, seeing him out there today, seeing him in the Braves series, it's just, it was, you know, it was a little triggering seeing him facing Jordan. Thinking about, you know, 22 all over again in a game that Christian Javier started, even though I know Javier did not start game six. No, he started game four, but still. He did. Yeah. But regardless, I just, I don't like it. I don't like it. I fully agree with you, dude. I feel like. And look, I get it. All right, Jack.

You're Don Mattingly. You're in the bull. You're in the dugout. It's a playoff game. Lazzardo's just giving you seven shuddy. You've got a one-nothing lead heading into the eighth inning. Oh, sounds like my nightmare. They got two righties and two lefties are the next four spots in the lineup.

However you want to shake it down. And it's lefty-righty, lefty-righty. So there's no advantage there. Yeah. Who do you end the freaking ball? to in the eighth inning. I mean, seriously. Like, who's the guy you trust the most right now? Because, I mean, what is the

ball? But every time he's in the eighth inning, it feels like he's like, you hit or miss. You know, McFarlane easily has the best stuff of any of those guys. I mean, two innings for Duran. You know? I mean, I don't know. I don't know. Who would? I mean, honestly, and it's crazy, but like I feel like Alex McFarlane is the best option in that spot.

I don't think they'd hand the ball of the rookie in that spot, but like, at least the dude's stuff pops off the screen. It's just wild. don't know who that person is. I am, I am sinking or swimming with Alex McFarland. Yeah, I just, yeah, I agree. Same page.

I just am. I'm taking my shot. I'm taking my shot that he's going to be able to handle it. And if he doesn't, sucks. It sucks. But you know what? The other guys probably wouldn't handle it either.

They probably aren't getting the job done either. At least this stuff is sick. And guess what? Maybe he gets a little hot. Yeah. And confidence. cup gets a couple good outings and all of a sudden he's like no one could touch me you know because i think eventually i think next year i mean i think he's going to be i mean McFarland

Iran is the eighth ninth and all of a sudden you have the I mean that's that's Brewer's ask that's we talked about this last night but like that's royals ask when they have Calvin Herrera and Wade Davis like it's a throwback they went in the world dude they were nasty Kelvin Herrera was like Kelvin herrera was the first guy saw throw like 98 with a 90 mile an hour change up and I don't know, he was awesome for like two seasons. Just like Wade Davis, who was an atrocious starter.

But Wade Davis, like lasted. Like that dude, I feel like he pitched leaves as like late 30s or mid-30s. Yeah. Yeah. So like next year when he built a bullpen and he go McFarland-Duran 8-9, you feel pretty good about that.

Then you can factor in the, the Bolins. And Brad Keller, he's still here. So we're going to have him for a second year, which will help. But, but yeah,

That was, I do think that is, that is the biggest, like, forgotten offseason thing when we talk about it. It's just like that really was a guy that they were signing to count on to be this, this guy, this spot that we're talking about. Like, that was supposed to be Brad Keller. And him sucking and then getting hurt really put a dent in. Look, it's there. They had opportunities to deadline to add more guys. We were yelling at them do it. Like, they could add it more guys.

There were other things they could have done. But Keller getting hurt really hurt them. and start being ineffective and then you're going to be hurt. I still am shocked Brad Geller was bad. I really am. I'm shocked he was bad. Maybe he was more hurt all you. Maybe he was just never right.

He didn't tell them and who knows. You never know. I mean. Can you imagine how. You like me making excuses for him there? I do. I do. Could you imagine how bleep they would be if they traded Alex McFarland on the deadline like they wanted to?

Oh, yeah. I know, dude. Can you imagine how maybe they win the division if they brought McFarlane up a month earlier like you were yelling at them to do? Right? Very rarely do we have wins in this podcast. I think most of our wins come with front office moves. You know, we wanted Brian Barber, who is starting to heat up a little bit.

We wanted Preston. We wanted Cawthon to be the pitching coach. We wanted everything from that standpoint. We did not want Dave Dombrovsky. No. Well. Nice. He's more good than bad.

The Lizardo trade is going to really, really, really. it's unbelievable. And look, again, I debated Rhea. I should have really emphasized that one more. You should have leaned into that. Yeah. And again, I know I say this all the time and I think it falls on deaf ears mostly, but I don't think we can underrate what Dumbowski did behind the scenes in just taking an organization where Andy McFail had come in and cashed a paycheck and put his feet up for years. And, you know, Clintack just was too inexperienced and too young to run an organization to build an organization. Debrowski came in and like set the Phillies up for the future in a way that was. necessary. Like not a lot of moves not gone right. He's had some good ones too and some good out on the air stuff. We probably don't give enough credit for like the Derek Hill stuff this year and all that.

But what he did in terms of infrastructure in terms of the barber and Mattingly and bringing in these like real front office guys and and the Latin America stuff like building up the infrastructure there, spending money there. Like all that type of stuff is it like the Phillies are a professional organization in a way they were not five years ago. And I think at the end of the day like that is actually Dave Dombrowski's most important legacy here is that he kind of, you know, made this a professional organization in a way they weren't. But, you know, I think obviously there's a lot of people who have questions about the

major league, you know, manager general. I think he's done a like B2B plus. I think it's pretty good. I agree. Right around where where I'm at. And a lot of high profile misses we know about. And I will say the international stuff is getting quite exciting. Dude, it's, it's the most important thing with the Phillies for me. I told this down me the other day. I'm like, honestly, it's the single thing that has happened that is the most important change in the organization. And that didn't make her an auscious?

It was okay? She put her blue-y-bin on it. Okay, okay. Okay, good. I just want to make sure. I just want to make sure. Because I don't know if you saw, I know this is getting a little bit down the road,

but Kenny Acuna is there some Kenny Acuna. Oh, let's go. Is he 15 now? I think he's 15. We really don't need an international draft when we're talking about the international guys. like 2031 if you want to implement it.

I need Kenny. I need Kenny. Oh, it's crazy. The international game, but regardless. Again, I know I've said this a million times,

but honestly, in all of sports, I think the most insane, hardest thing to do is to look at a 14-year-old kid and sign him and say he's going to be a decade later. It's just nonsense to me.

I'm so impressed that these guys can do this right. It's great. Well, when they get it right, when they get it right. As I said, when they can be a decade. do it right.

Yeah. All right. So speaking of the miners, nothing too crazy. We've talked a lot about our coming to the end here, buddy. Okay. Well, the Jersey Shore season is done. Clearwater's in the playoffs. They got a game tonight.

By the way, Reading. Aiden to Redding. We talked about last pod. How about that? Aidan's in Redding. He's in the lineup tonight. We need one win to clinch a... That's a nice little win for the minor league minute for the end of the year.

I feel. I feel like that's like a damn right. Aidan's playing in Redding right now. Let's go. Yeah. So they need one they need one win to clinch a playoff spot. I believe that that is because minor league they do a first half division winner and a second half division winner.

So if they need one win to win the second half division, whatever the hell of that means. I'm not locked in on the playoff run of minor league baseball. Can I, can I trust three? Can we trust three here for a second? Sure. And just can everyone not be mean? for just one second here because I'm going to, I'm going to bear my soul. I'm going to be honest.

I didn't know they had minor league playoffs. They do. I swear to God, I am about, I'm going to be 45 years old in 15 days. I followed baseball my whole life. I talk about it professionally. I didn't know the minor leagues had playoffs. Sorry, guys. Yeah, well, that's why we're here.

That's why they, do they celebrate? I never heard of like, oh, the Thresher has won the champion. I've never heard that. Hold on. You don't remember Spencer Howard throwing a number, inning no hitter in the playoffs? No, no. We thought we had the go.

That does not sound like anything to me. Dude, I mean. Tucker, I'm not even bring Tucker on. Tucker definitely knew there were my early playoffs, of course. Well, I mean, that your boy, the Nappy led Redding Fight and Phil's, you know,

I remember they won something. I think it was the last time they made the playoffs or something. It's my boy, yeah. Your boy, Nappy. Maybe that's why I didn't know because we never make the playoffs here. Well, it's so funny because there's so many kids who are like under 21, and they still like pop,

like fake champagne in the in the clubhouse. It's hilarious. Yeah, it's great. It's awesome. It's perfect. So yeah. So yeah, the Clearwater does have a playoff game tonight.

The loss game won. Nessor-Cortez pitched one inning in that game. So. Forgot about Nester Cortez, too. Or the Phillies. I don't know why they signed him. Like,

I just, I think it's a future play. I know. I think they did a shot. I think they brought him in and hope he looked good. No. I legitimately. I think they're,

I think they're developing Nestor-Gortez. I think they're rehabilitating him, yes. Because they signed him and then two days later, Don was like, we don't expect the help this year. And it's like, well, why? So maybe they just want to see what they have. And have them here for next year. Yeah.

Pre-lockout signing kind of thing. Yeah, by low on Nestor Cortez in the year 2027. That seems like smart strategy. You have you 36 years old or something. Yeah. So, yeah, Aiden is in the lineup tonight. I talked a little bit about it, but it is just crazy

when you sit back for a second and realize that Brian Rancone plays gold glove caliber shortstop and has 24 home runs and it's not he's not just a Redding. He's not a Reading merchant and like he's doing it on the road and home. So that's really impressive.

Noria had two hits. Last night, gauge pitched pretty well last night. It wasn't dominant, but exciting stuff for Redding, exciting stuff for. The Thresher's, hopefully they can win tonight, get back on the winning ways to go win the Florida State League title. Yeah, which I've always knew about, and I've always wanted to win. Yeah, it's like the Summer League for you.

Yeah, sure. Do they have playoffs there too? They do. Yeah, the Sixers in 20, oh, God. 14 won the Summer League title, I think. Well, I really. 2015, yeah, Orlando Summer League? The T.J.

Love team. I've just never thought. about it if you're like do you think the summer league playoffs maybe I don't know I never thought about it I just never thought about it well you should have thought about it well now I now I know that's two

that's two huge gaps and two podcasts for you no no it's not a gap I think there's a lot of people listening I had no idea they're minor league playoffs we'll say our listeners are pretty smart we'll say smart listeners are you got anything else no no I mean I'm very

nervous for them versus sale tomorrow. Oh my God, I know. I know. It's almost like just just. Lose tomorrow and take to a three. Let's worry about the cubs. Let's worry about the cubs. This will be a good test for my theory of

they're better on the road than at home. That's true. That's true. That'll be a good test for it. Knowles. Scientific research we need done over the next two weeks. A big test for Knowles too of the, of how about backy really is.

Especially seeing them, you know, two times in a week, essentially. Yeah. It's going to be awesome. Love it. Love it. All right. So we'll be back after the weekend. And next Thursday, we'll be in Dyingtown coming out with us. The borough in Dyingtown is going to be awesome. And we'll be back after the weekend.

Two or three. That's all we need. Until that, he's friends himself.