High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Bring Me deGrom

Episode Date: April 5, 2021

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies sweeping the Braves. The guys discuss how impressive the pitching has been, reasons to believe the Phillies might actually be a legitimately good team, and much more. 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

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WIP. WIP. and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo! It is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. Jack Fritz. What are we doing, buddy? The Philadelphia Phillies sweep the Braves to start the season and they swept them in convincing fashion in the sense that they were three hard fought baseball games. As you would say, the Phillies undefeated.'s go Fritzy I'm so invested in this team already

And there's only They've only had One home run on the year And it's from Nappy Who saw that coming How much money could you have made with that bet Did you have that in your office pool That Andrew Knapp

Here's what I'm going to say I have never Said a bad word about Andrew Knapp. I mean, here's what I'm going to say. Here's what I'm going to say. I have never said a bad word about Andrew Knapp. I have loved him from the moment he got to Philadelphia. I will love him forevermore. That's always been my dude. Just saying. Very serious question to start out this podcast. And I need you to answer this truthfully it's

a it might be the toughest question i've ever asked you and i can't believe that we're sitting here on a sunday night around nine o'clock and i get to ask you this question james but which is better the philly's starting staff or the philly's bullpen oh Well, how about this? The bullpen hasn't given up any runs. Yo, it's unbelievable how great they've been. And it's, look, we'll get into it all and stuff. And we all, you know, you're going to hear a lot, you know, the next tomorrow when people are talking about this. Like, you know, 2019, they swept the Braves remember how

excited we were and then it all fell apart first of all it's a better baseball team but second of all like those wins just felt more substantial and I think it's because we kind of saw what this can be best case with that starting staff I mean they, they didn't hit, Jack. They didn't hit, and they're sitting at 3-0. Yeah, I know, because I was actually driving back from my parents' house just thinking about the podcast and what I wanted to say. And, you know, it does feel like, you know, with Phillies fans, it feels like it's always there's a bit of skepticism all the time. And, like, I get it, right?

I mean, we've seen the worst bullpen in baseball history. We've seen a starting staff that hasn't been consistent enough. And we've seen an offense that has been up and down, not get it, right? I mean, we've seen the worst bullpen in baseball history. We've seen a starting staff that hasn't been consistent enough. And we've seen an offense that has been up and down, not last year, but in the last couple years. So I get people have been burned, right? But this team is good, man. They are a good baseball team. They have a solid foundation. And they're just built different than those teams were.

Like, yeah, 2019, sure. Like, they swept the Braves out, and it was great and all that. a solid foundation and they're just built different than those teams were like yeah 2019 sure like they they swept the Braves out and it was great and all that but this felt way different than those teams and and really just that first weekend because even doing the podcast back in the day it was like yeah they're they're in first place in the NL East and all this but they don't really feel like it like I I left this weekend thinking we have a special baseball season ahead of us and it's like it's getting to the point now where it's like i can't wait to wake up you know i just can't wait to wake up every day just get me to 705 and let's sit down and let's enjoy a ball club because i think there's a chance that we're going to see something

good each night and something that is going to you to kind of get this city rejuvenated with baseball again because you kind of saw this weekend. I mean, I don't know about you, but my timeline was filled with all the tweets about baseball and all this, and I was like, wow, it feels like the city's invested in it. It feels like we're on the precipice of just a summer of special baseball in South Philadelphia. Yeah, man.

There's definitely a special feeling to the team. And it also feels like a group of guys who, and look, Reese Hoskins said it on WIP twice. He said it on the Midday Show and then with Angelo, but basically it was like, it's time. Like, it feels like this group of guys, and Harper here now in year three, and Romulo now here in year three and, and this group of veterans, you know,

really good major league baseball players who now been together for a little while. Like it feels like they know it's time for them to take the next step. You know, that, that, and, and baseball's a weird sport in that like, you know, and look, I think confidence matters in all sports but baseball is the type of sport where if you have a team that's confident and you have a team that can kind of build on momentum and and you know take a hot start and run with it because we all know I mean how many times can you remember baseball where a team just gets off to a hot start and either rides that momentum to a way better season than anyone thought or even just rides it out at 500

and because of their hot start they still end up making the playoffs you know we see that all the time so I think you know coming out of the gate like this a team that already had I think a purpose and a mission and a confidence coming in. I think this is a perfect way to start the season, going up against the big boy in the division and handling business. Yeah, and I think it's just the way they want it makes me feel even more confident in this because they already have more games won this year when the bullpen has entered a tied game than in all of last season.

Well, Jack, how about all the stats that we're flying around? That's the amazing thing. Like Johnny Heller with this one. Phillies bullpen the first three games of last season. 11 and two-thirds inning, eight earned runs, 14 hits, five walks. And this year, seven and a third shutout with one hit and four walks, 11 Ks to nine. Like there are so many of those stats. I mean, even just the, uh, the numbers of what the starting rotation against the Braves, 20 and two thirds, three earned 24 strikeouts to one walk, Jack. I mean is um look and again you know we are we've watched

enough baseball we know enough baseball to not overreact too much to an opening series but but i really want to but but this is a team that has talent and it was believable that they could be a competitive playoff-type team. And I think all you could do from this start, especially the way it happened, like Jack said, with the starting rotation being so good, your top three guys you count on, like looking like, man, who's going to win the Cy Young?

Which one of the three? I mean, right now Wheeler is the clear favorite, but, I mean, any of them could. I mean, listen, I know Shohei. Three of the top four or five favorites, you have to say. Well, I know Shohei just went yard, but I would say that Shohei Otani is jealous of Zach Wheeler. Oh, obviously.

I mean, who's a more impactful hitter-pitcher combo than Zach Wheeler? It's not even a question. And then the bullpen, again, through a three-game series against a damn good Braves lineup has yet to allow a run. It's just, again, it's one of those things where you could not have written a script for what could kind of get Phillies fans to start to believe a little bit in a weekend series more than this. Because if they had come out and out-slugged the Braves and won three

and the bullpen didn't look great and the starting pitching wasn't great we'd all be like oh you know what this isn't gonna last we know this we know this story we know what's gonna happen here this was you know they didn't hit and they won three games and and and and gutted them out you know one like you talked about last time just on on Friday uh you know Thursday night talking about the opener. It was a baseball game with baseball plays and plays at the plate and big outs and big innings from relievers taking down and all that. And really the whole weekend was Saturday, obviously, a little bit more comfortable and really riding wheelers back

on both sides of the ball, so to speak. But today, Sunday's win was another grind it out. 1-1, the big hit from Boehm, the Eflin gem, but just the one mistake at the end, and then the bullpen handles it. It's yet again like two games this series they won with that formula, which is a formula they never won with last year. Yeah, and I think I got two things for you, James. The fact that they came back opening day after the back-breaking Sandoval home run

and won that ball game, and again today, again today, they have a back-breaking home run off of Travis Darnot, the one bad pitch that Eflin made all day, and they bounced back and they won. And we just didn't see that last year. And I think these guys saw the bullpen in spring training and yes, spring training results and all that stuff. I get it. I totally get it. But they saw a bullpen that actually had stuff. And just in watching the team this weekend, it looked like a team that believed in itself. Even the Segura walk-off, Segura demanded to get up there like he was on a mission.

Like, they're playing resilient baseball, they're playing determined baseball, and they're playing smart baseball. Like, I know it's one series, but the little things they did were things that are going to translate over 162, and that makes me excited. And two, James, Freddieeman didn't get a hit in a series against the phillies for the first time in his career for the first time in his freaking career

that guy didn't kill us i mean it's gonna be a magical season yeah well i i do have there is one caveat there and you know this because i talked to you and I drafted him, but this is the first time I've ever owned Freddie Freeman in fantasy. So it's possible it's also partially my fault as well, in which case you're welcome, everybody, that I am playing such an important role in the Phillies being able to get Freddie Freeman. He is also my first baseman. We did it. It's Phillies. Well, he is. He is also my first base.

And I think we did it. No, no. Well, listen, I mean, I'll take it. But also, I won't take it. It's time to step up for any. Now that you're not playing the Phillies, go ahead and get some. It's big dog. No, it really is wild.

It's a wild. Again, again, it's just really. And and they also looked impressive in doing it. Like we remember, you know, we talked about Jose Alvarado, the experience the other night on opening day and how it was kind of such a wild ride. Like it wasn't this time. Like dude was nasty.

Did you see the 96-mile-an-hour slider? Did you see the 96-mile-an-hour slider? So Corey Seidman tweeted out here. Corey Seidman tweeted out Jose. Corey Seidman tweeted out, Jose Alvarado threw seven sinkers in that 1-2-3 eighth inning. They were 98-98-99-100-99-199. Did Klintak just faint? Dude, he can't breathe.

He's like hyperventilating. Is that allowed? Bring me to Grom. Bring me to Grom. I need him. He can't breathe. He's like hyperventilating. Is that allowed? Bring me to Grom. Bring me to Grom. I need him. Slow down, pal. Slow down.

Slow down. All right. Slow down. Let's talk about the games. Saturday, really, honestly, there's not much to talk about. I mean, Reese Hoskins, a nice RBI double. That was cool. But Saturday, there's really only one thing to talk about, and that's Zach Wheeler.

Zach Wheeler was Zach. I mean, just what a showing. I mean, the batting part obviously is super fun and, you know, was the leader in RBIs for the team. Might still be tied for it or whatever. You know, it was right there. I think maybe Boone passed him. But from a pitching perspective, Jack, I mean,

that's one of the better Philly starts we've seen in a while. Bro, it was the first time since that. Since Halliday, yeah. Since Halliday's perfect game, which was a decade ago. I mean, seriously, it's been literally – well, actually, it's been more than a decade. It's been 11 years. I mean, I really – before I get super nerdy about Zach Wheeler,

I mean, are you going to apologize for ever wanting the DH for the National League? I knew you were going to say this. If I could have bet on only one thing being said on this podcast, it was that you were going to bring up that. Look, again again every once in a while it's super fun to have the pitchers hit that's it very rare i just didn't know you hated baseball yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah it was fun it was fun all right it was fun bring me to grom um so so wheeler was just like so i talked about this in spring training a little bit.

And again, I don't have the numbers to back this up. Um, like I, I haven't been able to figure out if he, cause the spin numbers are the same on his fastball. Like if you look at RPM wise, they're the same, but I'm trying to figure out if there's any like, I'm trying to, I'm trying to quantify out if there's any like I'm trying to I'm trying to quantify what my eye is telling me which is that he's added more zip to his fastball like we talked about this I think over the winter but like I thought there was a difference between Garrett Cole's 99 and Zach Wheeler's 99 whereas Zach Wheeler's was like a slow 99 and Garrett Cole's

was a fast 99 and I know it made no sense but it just it didn't look as quick I guess Zach Wheeler was like a slow 99 and Garrett Goles was a fast 99 and I know it made no sense but it just it didn't look as quick I guess Zach Wheeler's fastball on Saturday looked quick um they weren't able to consistently square him up um and and and this was the so Wheeler was great last year and I get it but he pitched to a 2-9-2 ERA but to really get me and a lot of people to buy in fully to Zach Wheeler, he's going to need to start missing some bats. He's going to need to start missing some bats because, like, ground balls can only go so far, right? I mean, eventually those ground balls turn into base hits

and you get Babbitt to death. And, you know, just the earned runs start piling up. And, yes, getting early outs and, you know, pitching to contact early accounts to get guys out early and go deeper in ballgames is a good thing. I mean, it's a good way to pitch. But if you wanted to translate into better success, you need to be able to find a way to get some swing and miss into your game. And that was the first time that Wheeler in a Phillies uniform got the swing and miss. I mean, it was 10 Ks. It was dazzling. And I've noticed this through three

games so far, especially starting pitching wise, but they've really, really made a conscious effort to establish fastball command to both sides early in starts and nola did it on on thursday and it was the best that i had felt about aaron nola um in it since like 2018 i want to say um so so they they've been they've been working on on establishing both sides of fastball so nola did that on on thursday and like, oh, that's just Nola getting back to being Nola. You know, we'll see how this translates. And then Wheeler goes out and does the same thing. I mean, he was establishing fastball away, fastball in.

And then as it got deeper into his start, he was able to work in the slider, work in all those pitches. And it was just a really interesting plan of attack. Eflin did the same thing today. But just a really positive start from Zach Wheeler. I didn't see the 100 miles an hour exactly coming in the first at-bat of the year, which was something pleasurable to see. But just a dominant outing.

Thought the slider was great. Thought that got better as the start went on. And, yeah, it's just something that I think we can expect more from going forward. Yeah, and also, I mean, it's huge for October, right? I mean, if we're going to talk about this team as a playoff contender, I mean, you want Zach Wheeler to be able to miss bats in October. I mean, that's monster. And, I mean, he was awesome.

And, look, this is the first time we've seen Zach Wheeler after a normal offseason in a normal season, right? I mean, you know, the only Zach Wheeler we got is a pandemic-shortened weirdest season of all time with a weird spring training, then off spring training, then back and all that. So, you know, who knows? I think what we saw obviously is, you know, incredibly positive, and I think people should be really excited about Wheeler. what we saw obviously is you know incredibly positive and i think people should be really excited about wheeler um uh anything else on saturday before we move on to sunday i have a lot

on sunday today yeah i mean sunday sunday was a was an exhilarating game um i mean hector was good i mean obviously hector pitched you know today as well but um bradley was was was pretty good as well bradley hasn't really thrown his curveball yet. He's gotten through outings without having to use it. He's only been like a fastball change-up guy so far. Reset a nice hit, which is good to see. Yeah, I mean, it's been a slow offensive start, so it's pretty much been a lot of pitching stuff. Yeah, speaking of which, let's get to today.

We've both been expecting a Zach Afflin breakout season. I think that's kind of almost become like one of those things where, you know, with the Pavetta thing, you know, I don't even know if we should mention it, as I'm sure he's going to be awesome for Boston. But it's funny because people in Boston are in on Pavetta. I've heard Bill Simmons mention Pavetta breaking out on his podcast, stuff like that. I'm so sorry. You have created a monster of all monsters. I know. But listen, it's high on Bloom and Andrew Friedman's fault too.

They've been hyping him up just as much as I was. But the Eflin thing this year feels like that where you're seeing it like fantasy circles and this never everyone's predicting it but like i i think like what we saw today is the reason why people have been predicting it and why i think we're gonna see it well yeah and then how nice is it that that an actual like you know breakout thing is kind of working you know yeah it was like yeah it wasn't like it wasn't like everyone's predicting a breakout and he goes out and gets shelled in his first outing like he actually dominated and you know made one bad pitch that kind of kind of sunk his whole start and all that but yeah i mean this is this

is kind of this is kind of what we thought i, this is kind of what we thought. I mean, this is kind of what we were expecting when the season started was, I mean, I said it two podcasts ago or whatever, and I just believe it now. Like, he is Roy Halladay light. He has the same repertoire as Roy Halladay minus the nasty split finger, which I know is a game changer. But when you're talking about a guy that can command a sinker to both sides of the plate, curveball is developing.

I think it's developing into a good pitch for him. It got some swings and misses today. And the changeup is a good pitch. I mean, the changeup is a good pitch for Zach Eflin. So, like, I just – his repertoire is a lot like, a lot like Doc's was, was even mixing in that, that cutter inside to, to lefties, which was good to see. But he was brilliant. He was brilliant. And he's just, he's hard to consistently square up throughout an outing. He just, he is, he, he can command the sinker to both sides of the plate.

It dips. It dives. It moves all over the place. And then he has good off-speed pitches to where he can back that stuff up. And we're seeing more conviction from him. You know, Eflin a couple years ago was fine just kind of getting through an outing and, you know, just being cool, pitching to contact and all that stuff. And it's fine.

It's just not conducive to really becoming a dominant pitcher in Major League Baseball. And what he's doing now is what dominant pitchers do. Yeah, it was awesome to see. And, again, just to, like, hammer home, like, against a really good Braves lineup. I mean, you've got Acuna and Alves and Freeman and Swanson and Darnot and Gaia and Ozuna.

I mean, it's a stacked lineup. It was a really impressive showing from this Phillies rotation. Let's talk about the bullpen, and then we'll get into some of the specifics of Sunday's game. But just the bullpen in general, I thought it was interesting when Hector got in trouble today in Sunday's game, but just the bullpen in general. I think I thought it was interesting when Hector got in trouble today in Sunday's game, you know, at the end, you know, the two walks and then gets out of it.

But that Brogdon was the one warming up. I think it's pretty clear, obviously by the usage so far that Jabari has made it clear that his four guys are Archie, Alvarado, Brogdon, and Hector. Like those are the guys he trusts. What do you think of that, and what do you think of what we've seen? Well, it seemed like a lot for Hector today. I mean, it was third straight outing.

He had pitched, I think, Sunday down in spring training. So, I just feel like he's been having a lot of use on his arm. So, you know, I hope tomorrow or I hope early in the Mets series they don't have to use him because I think he could use a couple days off. It just feels like he got used a lot this weekend. But I've been happy with Hector. I would like to see him work in the slider more. And he does have those innings that seems like it's going to, you know,

give you a heart attack. But overall, he's been good. He's been good. I think the splitters has good action to it. He hasn't really used a slider, which annoys me. But whatever. I'm sure he'll get more comfortable with it and use it more as the season goes on. And the fastball velocity finally crept back up today.

It finally crept back up. It was back up into the 94, 95s. And really, he took down the top of the Braves order twice this weekend. I mean, Acuna, Freeman, all those guys at the top of the lineup, Albies, same kind of thing. And I've been impressed with Hector and he's, he's going to do a job this year. It is interesting that Brogdon's up behind him. I think Brogdon's just going to continue to get, you know, major, major innings out of the back of this bullpen. And it was nice to see Alvarado, like find the strike zone, you know, like just find the strike the back of this bullpen. And it was nice to see Alvarado, like, find the strike zone, you know? Like, just find the strike zone.

Like, if he can just find the strike zone, he's disgusting. He gets in trouble when he's all over the place, throwing balls to the backstop, all of that. And today was a nice little reminder that he can, in fact, just find the strike zone and throw 96-mile-an-hour sliders at right-handed hitters' kneecaps and they'll still swing at it. I mean, his stuff is just absurd. We haven't seen a guy with this kind of stuff since, I think, Billy Wagner.

So, yeah, it was a good bullpen weekend. I think it's not something that is like fool's gold. It's not like D'Aulice trevor kelly and those guys like these these guys have taken down major innings in bullpens for years and now they're in our bullpen and um i see no reason why we can't trust them on most nights to go out and get the job done i was still nervous i was still nervous like i talked all off season about how i thought the bullpen was much improved and like we don't have to worry that much. And then the game started and I was like, oh, my God, this is awful.

They're going to blow it and I'm going to be in shambles after this. Yeah, well, I retweeted that when you said that. And I said this coming into the season. Whenever we were going with Joe Giglio or on the pod or whatever, whenever anyone would say like, you know, what are you most afraid of? What's Achilles heel, whatever. I, no matter logically what other things I could think of were in worse shape, I can't do anything, but think about the bullpen destroying my soul again. Like I just, I need to see it not happen. And, and this three

game series is certainly a great start towards that you know being feeling much better when these guys come to the game but it's still i'm with you it's not gone it's not gone like i feel it whenever these and like with hector i felt it i it was flashbacks and and i feel it every time we go to the pen so i am with you i don't know how long it'll take for that to fade how many good outings we need but i'm i'm definitely right there with you uh I don't know how long it'll take for that to fade, how many good outings we need, but I'm definitely right there with you. I want to fire some thoughts. I thought today's game, another like the opener, just a really, to steal your phrase, just a really great baseball game, a really good win where, you know, there wasn't a ton of action but it was a quick well played you know

well fought well pitched game with nice defensive plays and all that stuff um fire some stuff off at you what have you thought of Bryce so far I know you know he had the almost homer I I think that Bryce in a in a lineup that hasn't had a ton of success, I feel like I've come away more impressed with his at-bats than with most. I think the at-bat in the first inning was kind of like a good example of that. And by the way, the ump was horrible, like just so all over the place. There was zero consistency with that um today but harper you know the uh it's the the three oh count the pitch is high it's definitely high it's on the line but it's high and harper goes to to undo his shin pad and start walking they call the strike

and you know he looks back and whatever but then gets enough fouls his pitch off then three two pitch it the pitch is in the exact same spot as the strike was if not slightly more a strike and harbour doesn't swing and he gets the call and i just feel like um first of all it's just a really good at bat a battle um but just the which we've seen a lot of. But also that Harper, I just think he kind of commands some respect in those spots with umpires. And if Harper thinks it's a ball, sometimes they're going to be like, oh, yeah, it's probably a ball. Yeah, I think the umpire might have been off guard

because it was a changeup, not a fastball. Horrible umpire. Horrible. Yeah, it seems like he had no idea what a low and outside strike was. And no consistency consistency just none i mean even the the we'll take it but the hector's strikeout in the ninth or the whatever it was if the yeah it was the strikeout the low pitch uh three two to acuna like that was nowhere close yeah but loved it i mean it. Yeah, I'll take it. Absolutely needed it. But, yeah, like, I think, you know, Bryce isn't doing the major damage, but he's doing little things, little things to help you win.

And, yeah, I mean, I think his at-bats have been fine. I mean, I would obviously like him to start driving the ball a little bit. But, again, like, you know, Reese gets that single on the eighth. Harper moves him over, moves him over, gets him in. And my only problem with Bryce over the weekend is the base running. Well, that was going to be my next question about Bryce. Because, look, I think he's always aggressive. The one on Saturday was just stupid. The one today obviously got there.

I think more often than not the aggressive base running, if it's aggressive but smart, is going. I think more often than not, the aggressive base running, if it's aggressive but smart, is going to pay off more often than not. But it does seem like times it's not aggressive and smart. It's just aggressive. Yeah, it's just aggressive to be aggressive, and I'm not sure how smart it really is. But listen, again, I'll take aggressive over not aggressive. I'll take trying to make

a play and try to you know energize your teammates a little bit versus not trying to energy energize your teammates and he just looked like a leader to me like everything every action he's done you know his his post-game reaction today when they won i thought was hilarious and awesome and it seems like he's kind of setting the tone. And just in hearing him speak before the season, I kind of felt the same thing. Like, we know that Reese was saying it's go time and all that stuff. But Bryce is also the one that was like, we love playing here. We love this city. They deserve playoff baseball.

It's time to go do that. We're promised to do that. And I think the team is kind of rallying behind, behind the play of their superstar. And that's kind of why he's here. I mean, he's here to be a superstar, but he's also here to try and change the culture around here. And I think he,

I think we're starting to see him do that. The homers are important. The homers need to come. But I thought it was an overall positive weekend for Bryce. He hit some balls hard, squares and balls up, you know, kept the line moving today in the eighth to help them win a ball game.

Played a really good defense. And, yeah, I'm all good on Bryce. Yeah, and I think, like, the reasoning is more I think it's an example of how those group of guys feel. So I'm with you, Harper, Romulo. I think all those guys know that it's time to make the playoffs, like that anything less is unacceptable with, you know, kind of where this franchise is at.

All right. A couple other things I want to throw at you. And look, I think just in general with the with the Harbors at bats, I do think, look, this lineup needs to convert more. Obviously, way too many runners left on base this weekend, but they grind and they're going to work hard at bats. They're going to get walks. And I think if you keep doing that stuff, you know, more often than not, again, use that phrase. Like I think more

often than not, good things will come from it. So I, you know, minus the lack of runs this weekend, I did think there were positive things to take away. Yeah. And, and, and there are guys that you, you, you bet on the track records. I mean, you bet on their track records, but also they came through when they needed to, which I think is important. Like, sure, they left some runners on base early in games and all of that. But when it came down to the nitty gritty, they were able to grind out at bats and ultimately help a team win three ballgames this weekend. So they got the big hits when they needed to. And I just think that that's going to translate better to coming out and just scoring like 10 runs this weekend and pretending everything is okay. Like sometimes getting those big hits and knowing you can get

those big hits is really important for a baseball team. Yeah. One guy who cannot get the big hits, does not get the big hits, doesn't get many hits because he stinks is Roman Quinn. Roman Quinn is just a horrible hitter. Jack, I just, I feel one thing so strongly, so strongly when I think about Roman Quinn. Why not Mick? That's what I think. Yeah, well, because Mick, he's not the second fastest player in baseball, probably. Dude, Roman Quinn is a horrible hitter.

A horrible hitter. Like, he is, don't you, honestly, like, I'd rather have Zach Wheeler up in a big spot I'm not kidding man I'm not kidding I know I I'm not kidding well well that's uh whatever but um the thing with Rome well the thing that's hurting this team right now is that they don't really have a good right-handed option off the bench late in games. Yeah. You know, I mean, like, they have Matt Joyce, who's awesome. They have Brad Miller, who's awesome.

But they don't have a right-handed version of that guy. Yeah, it's just Torres and Quinn. Yeah, I mean, that's all they have. And Knapp, I guess, if he's, you know what I mean. Today they had JT, but normally Knapp right-handed. And Knapp's better lefty than righty. Exactly. So, like, listen, if I was Dombrowski,

I would try to call Steve Pearce and see what he's up to. You know, I mean, talk about a guy that just mashes left-handed pitching. I know he's retired, but whatever. World Series MVP, Steve Pearce. World Series MVP, Steve Pearce. So, listen, come on, Davey. Use your relationships and go get us some right-handed pop. But that's clearly going to be their one move of the deadline is going to be us some right-handed pop. That's clearly going to be their

one move of the deadline is going to be getting a right-handed option off the bench. They keep winning games, Jack. They might make multiple moves. They might add a fourth, fifth. We're going to go with the luxury tax? If they're sitting there, let's think about it. The trade deadline is late July.

If they're sitting there at 60 and 10 60 and 15 you know something no it'd be more than that so i'm joking seems like a lot of 70 and 20 maybe yeah 70 and 20 around that that's fair that's that's a that's a lot of losses that's a lot of losses maybe i'm way under on the games i that it should be more games either way you get the point you get the point i did get the point you get the point jack um all right uh more um by the way dd another nice catch uh the kind of similar type of catch uh in today's game too um a question for you. Important question.

Are you willing to and would you like to recant your statements disparaging the Braves bullpen? Because it's pretty good, Jack. That dude, Matt Six, a dude. I didn't even know who he was. And I was like, this guy's good. And then mentor after they got some like some lefties. I mean, come on. That bullpen's nothing.

I mean, Matzik's a former failed first rounder. He'll fall back down to earth. I didn't see if Chris Martin was hurt at all. Chris Martin actually scares me a little bit. Minter's pretty good. But no, I mean, come on. My biggest takeaway from the weekend was the Braves are just an okay baseball team. Wow.

Come on. Honestly, losing Marquette might have been their biggest loss of the weekend was the Braves are just an okay baseball team. Wow. Come on. Honestly, losing Marquekus might have been their biggest loss of the offseason. What? What is special about that Braves lineup now? Dude, it's – I mean, Acuna and Freeman are – I know. Okay. Azuna, is he good?

You can't – Swanson, is he good? All right. Azuna had one unbelievable season. Albus, is he good? You can't. Swanson, is he good? All right. Azuna had one unbelievable season. Albus, is he good? I don't know. You're telling me most pitchers can't navigate Azuna, Darnot, Swanson, Riley on a night-in, night-out basis?

I'm not saying he's better than the Phillies, but, I mean, his high end is better. Yeah, it's fine. I mean, listen, Acuna and Freeman are amazing, but, I mean, I don't know. My takeaway from this weekend wasn't that the Braves were just light years better than the Phillies. I feel like the Phillies could compete with them in a seven-game series. Oh, I think they could.

I mean, they just won three. I don't think the Braves' talent is light years ahead of the Phillies. I just think they are better, and they also have the benefit of the doubt. They've won the division three years in a row. Oh, benefit of the doubt, whatever. J-Roll ended that in 2007 with the team to beat. I mean, Sean Newcomb stinks. Luke Jackson stinks.

You know what stinks? Josh Tomlin stinks. I mean, come on. Charlie Morton's 37 years old. Get over it. Come on. Okay. I like this.

This is bring on the Grom, huh? Bring on the Grom. I said it before. I'll say it again. Bring on the Grom. Not scared of the Braves. This team's won at least 90 games. So Killing Price on Twitter pointed this out to me,

and it's pretty crazy. Did you realize that Hector Neris is 50 games away from being the all-time Phillies leader in saves? Whatever it is. How unbelievable. Because that is actually, like, Hector's been good so far. We could absolutely see him staying in the role all year. If they're a good team and he has a good year whatever it is. How unbelievable. Because that is actually, like, Hector's been good so far. We could absolutely see him staying in the role all year.

If they're a good team and he has a good year and then one more good year, like, boom, he's the Phillies' all-time save leader. Hector bleepin' Neres. How about that? Hector is a good pitcher. I know. Most nights gets the job done. Does he make it look easy? No, he sure doesn't.

Look, anyone passing Jonathan Papelbon for the franchise lead would be A-OK, I think. Right? Yeah. I mean, listen, Papelbon was good here. Yeah, but we don't need that guy in the record. No. No. I would much rather have Hector be the guy than Jonathan Papelbon.

Not even close. All right. Oh, and of course, I was about to say what what do you got in your take bag? But I idiot over here. How do we not talk about Mr. Clutch like we have our own Mr. October? He just hasn't gotten a chance to prove it yet. Alec Baum, what a stud. What ice in his veins. Jack, I want to know if he actually has literal ice flowing through his veins because he's so calm, cool, and collected when it matters most. What a big hit, man. What a kid. What a big hit. I don't know which I'm most impressed by.

A Phillies prospect coming up being awesome, a breakout player actually breaking out, or the Phillies bullpen actually being good. I don't know which of the three I i'm most shocked by on a day in day out day out basis but um yeah dude it's like it's every and he he didn't have a great weekend like didn't really square up many balls didn't drive any balls but of course it's like game of the line need to break out need to need to need to win a game here comes alec boom boom game over phil's take the lead give it to hector game over like it's it the lead. Give it to Hector. Game over. It's crazy. It's absolutely

crazy how good that guy is with the game on the line and in a big spot and just doing what it takes to get the run in. He's one of those guys that should be a 100 RBI guy. He should compete for a batting title. Should have like 30 doubles a a year i don't know about the home runs you know i think they'll come when they come but um the doubles are going to be there like he is just such a joy he is such a joy the defense has been pretty good i mean yeah again i we talked about i mean one of that was one of the hallmarks of the opener minus the hoskins play obviously like three great defensive plays like high level level defensive plays. And then, you know, I think Boehm had a good weekend period defensively kind of across the board. And again, Didi with another really nice catch today.

Just they've done a really good job. Like we talked about that as a potential Achilles heel and so far so good. What a nice feeling to have a good normal baseball team. Well, especially you just talked about between the defense thing and then also like compared to last year with the bullpen and the starting rotation being so good and getting clutch hits when you need them and hanging on to wins and all that like it just it was such a perfect weekend juxtaposed to last year to like all the feelings we have from last year's just sham horror show of

a philly season like it was a perfect weekend as an antidote for that to have the phillies back and just be able to get like really excited about them right away because it was like three games they lose last year and i would just like to send a little psa to to joe gerardi hey buddy can we get alec bohm in the four hole for the rest of the year like enough all right enough for the jt thing we saw it happen today they won a ball game with him in the four hole i know jt was sitting but like come on buddy i know you don't like young players but it's time it's time i'm shocked he's in the five hole to be honest uh you know what you're already managing i mean why you think he'd be lower yeah well no no i mean he should i'm with you he should be in the

four i'm just saying you know to your point you know he's he's a rook oh they can't handle anything they've been around the game like come on man just stop get them in the four hole let's go win 90 games uh i'm uh i'm really excited jack what do you got in your your take bag ah man by the way it was loud again today i mean just 10 000 fans which i didn't know they increased the attendance, but apparently there's 10,000 there today. But just loud again. Great seeing fans back at the ballpark.

And, you know, it's nice to have a nice, normal weather, like 65 in spring. And watching Zac Eflin just absolutely dominate must have been a treat. And a take back, yeah, the fastball command to both sides has just been really impressive. I don't – like, some people were asking me, like, what do you think Cotham's, you know – Influence. Yeah, his influence on his team so far is.

And honestly, I don't know. I mean, I don't know. But just in trying to look at – like, trying to watch the games and see where they – where, like, the organizational philosophy is, it seems like they've really prioritized the fastball down and away um which is a good spot to be in um just because i don't know what a hitter can really do with that um but at least with the starters with nola and wheeler and efflin both all three of those guys was the same plan it was like we're gonna go fastballs early in games, establish that, get the both sides. And then as the game wears on, we'll start breaking them the curve ball. We'll start breaking in the changeup, just giving the hitters something else

to think about. Like in a perfect world, James, you know, the first two times through an order, you know, you can kind of throw the same thing both times hitters probably won't hit as a game wears on. And that third time through an order, you need to have something else to throw at them. And I've just been really impressed with their plans of attack. And another Cotham thing, he came out, I think, for two pitching visits, and both times guys got out of it immediately. So, you know, just take that for what it is.

Oh, buddy. That went away. Oh, buddy. I mean away. Oh, buddy. I mean, Alvarado was dominant after he talked to Coffin, and I think it was Hector today. Yeah, Hector today. Same kind of thing. So it's definitely something to monitor.

I think the fastball command to both sides is going to be something to kind of watch when you're looking for, you know, Coffin's influence on this roster. My next note was that the Braves lost a lot. I think Marquegas was a huge loss. I don't think that, I mean, the code had them as like an 81 wind ball club.

So, I mean, take that for what it is to, to hitting notes. DD is struggling with fastball, just power fastballs. And he's traditionally been a pretty good fastball hitter, but first weekend just seems like he's not consistently seeing it

or squaring it up. It seems like he's late a lot. So that's something to kind of monitor. And Reese seems like he's really struggling with spin. I know he's had a couple hits, but even spin out of hand, that's like not even close to the strike zone. Reese is kind of, you know, leaning at and kind of giving the thought of, should I go after that pitch or not?

So that's something to monitor. Hopefully those guys can get it down a little bit. Um, you know, just like, just like with most, most aces, you got to get to Eflin early before he settles in. You know, he's one of those guys that you got to get to the, in the first inning before he settles in and turns into the, to the ace that he is. So, um, you know, just, just get to Eflin early because after the first, he's locked in. You're not getting to him for the rest of the game. Yeah. No, that's – I mean, I love it. I love it.

I'll roll with you on that. Thank you. Thank you. I will just sit back and roll. That's right. That's right. And accept the hitter pitching. That'd be great.

And my final thing is, and we've talked about it a little bit, but just doing the little things well. You know this that's what winning ball clubs do getting bunts down um moving runners along you know to win that game today without hitting home run i mean obviously naps was early but late in the game it wasn't like it wasn't like they were waiting for a three-run home run you know how you know i talked with gabe it was like oh we're just gonna wait for the beginning, and when that happens, we'll be good. This team's actually winning ballgames with the way that you're going to have

to win ballgames late in September and hopefully into the playoffs. And that's getting them over, getting them in, keeping the line moving, situational hitting, not striking out. And it's not like it's a huge throwback team, but it's a team that's doing the right things to to win games and again today it was it was another example of that obviously saturday was kind of just you know hand the ball to zach wheeler go give us seven seven innings 10k and have two three rbis two rbis in the game so um obviously that that'll do it but like today

again late in games good good pitching, throwing strikes. I mean, they've allowed, I mean, the walk numbers are really low from the pitching staff. I don't know what they are exactly off the top of my head, but they're throwing strikes out of the bullpen, besides Alvarado's obviously, first outing. But they're just doing smart things that good baseball teams do. And there was a lot to take away from this weekend that I think is going to

translate to wins down the road. And it's not the brave series in 2019. It's not, this team is much better. They've had Zach Wheeler. They've had a D they've added Alec bone. They've added a real bullpen. They've had a Joe Girardi.

Like this team is much better than the 2019 Phillies for anyone that is trying to compare those two after that weekend is just, you know, being a baseball fan, just wanting to keep you down I think it's okay to believe in this team James I believe that you do and guess what I do too Jack like I'm with you and it's a oh even you it's a good group of guys like it's a group of of guys who have been in the league for a while a fair amount there's veteran presence while also it's a group of hungry guys. Like it's not a lot of guys who've won at all and all that type of stuff.

So I, and, and again, like we talked to her, I just think the mentality of this team is like, we are a playoff team and we're going to go prove it. Like, I think that's what their mentality is. And I think that's a strong mentality to have that can, again, breed confidence and thus breed success. This is the most invested I've been in a Phillies team since 2011, legitimately.

Like 2019, that was fun. I was excited to get Harper here. But in terms of like what of potential that I, and obviously I don't think this team has the potential that I thought the 2011 team did in the moment and all that. But I'm, I think this team has a chance to be a really good baseball team and to be a playoff team,

like a, a playoff team, you know? So I'm, I don't know that they will, obviously it's tough division, all that type of stuff. But you know,

I feel a lot more confident about their playoff chances than i did before the weekend and what more could you ask for with that right after three games i'm right there with you i know you are you you were you were you were just waiting for it you're you were hanging there with one foot off the ledge just like hanging using all your strength to not fall and let the other foot just just come off um all right uh quickly before we get out of here uh you you know you i know you've been saying it but but they are bringing on the grom because that's happening all right bring me to grow tomorrow today for a lot of people when they listen to it, Monday, 7.05, DeGrom against Matt Moore, Jack.

What a – look, look. You know, I am excited and I feel very confident about this team. DeGrom's, you know, DeGrom. What are you expecting from this series at the Mets? I mean, sweep. I mean, what else? I mean, how could you go 162-0 If you don't sweep the Mets here

I mean listen All I've seen from this Phillies team is sweeps So I fully expect that to Continue now I mean obviously to Grom's to Grom I mean this could be the year that he falls off I mean Matt Moore is ranked higher than him In prospect list for a reason

Honestly I don't know how to um uh you know i don't i don't know how to think about this series at the moment because i don't know how the mets are going to show up like are they going to be super rested super excited um because they had the time off and you know that are they're going to be rusty i mean it's a great point jack it really is a great point so i don't know i don't know what to expect from the mets it's like oh they can come out well rested and you know, that are there going to be rusty? I mean, it's a great point, Jack. It really is a great point. So I don't know. I don't know what to expect from the Mets. It's like, oh, they can come out well rested and, you know, kind of just, you know, go off on their first weekend with Lindor. And, you know, they signed him for the season and they're all fired up. But also they haven't played a game since last Sunday in spring training. And that wasn't with all our starters. So, yeah, I don't I don't know how they're going to they're gonna go out but you know it's a it's a it's a really good test i mean you go you go the grom stroman peterson who

whatever i'm not a big uh dj peterson guy but um either way like you it just facing stroman and facing to grom and facing another good baseball team you know i just think we're going to continue to learn more about this team and hopefully they take two or three. I'm expecting at least one win, obviously, but it is your four or five in your rotation that you're expecting that out of. So, you know, it's just another way to go out there and continue proving themselves. It's nice that they don't have a day off after a big emotional win

like they had Friday. So it's good they get right right back out there but yeah if listen if they if they destroyed de grom or even you know and it's world two runs all yeah i mean listen just just just get me a hotel bankrupt the book bet on the world series odds i mean seriously i mean i hope vegas is ashamed of themselves dude you know i bet thirty dollars on the air and i i never i hope zoe can go to i never bet more than like five dollars on a bet i bet 30 on the philly it's over and i and i texted jack like was it like halfway into the opener and i was like i wish i had bet my whole account like i feel so confident they're gonna be over the number. All right.

I have two final thoughts, but any final thoughts for you before I get to them? Oh, you know me. Only final thought is. Is the take back? Is bring me to Grom and how sweet it is. Oh, look at you. How sweet it is. That is not corny at all. Why not, Mick? all right two two final thoughts

uh let's start with the the uh congratulations in order and shout out again to our buddy brandon league out and who pointed this out because uh i am not one to notice such things but jack fritz has officially finally passed me in twitter followers jack i'm really happy for you buddy it's about time i mean it is about time it is so so uh listen i'm glad to to have the Twitter followers that I do. I did not miss the meltdowns after every little thing that happens in a baseball game. And, of course, I'm the guy everyone has to vent at because they know whatever that I'm just invested in. And listen, in the moment, I'm with you. But over 162, can we calm down? I mean, just relax for me. Um, so yes, it's a,

it's a good feeling to finally pass James and Twitter following. Um, you know, I'm honored to do it. And, uh, I mean, it's only the beginning. We're only going to continue to, uh, to grow this thing. Um, as hopefully we have the most fun baseball season, um, you know, we'll have since 2011. Yeah, I'm happy for you, buddy. I legitimately am because I could not care less. Okay, now my final, final thought,

and it's the more important one at least in my mind. I need you because you're a golf guy, so I need your opinion on this. Masters coming up next weekend. Who's going call it since jim nance resigned from cbs do you have any idea who's gonna be no you're the worst or no nope nope nope nope not doing it not doing it this is gonna be the new old joke this is how you announce it or i don't know who's gonna do it i'm just wondering well i mean i mean rumors are swirling that it's gonna be the new old joke this is how you announce it or i don't know who's gonna do it i'm just wondering well i mean i mean rumors are swirling that it's gonna be ian eagle i refuse

to call him ian he's great no no please please don't please don't give in and call him ian his name is ian it's ian eagle okay it's not ian it's spelled ian it's's Ian congrats on the Twitter followers buddy I really am happy for you uh I do look I do look forward to to uh Ion Eagle calling the matches again it's gonna be great Jim Nantz resigned amid amid not getting Tony Tony Romo money Jim Nantz resigned it's gonna be great it's gonna be great uh congrats to congrats to Ion Eagle it's a big it's a big win for iron you know i iron um um i had something else i was gonna say and i totally lost it uh it's okay yerman mercedes yerman mercedes is up and he's uh eight for ten i'm an old man jack you know that you know that's that's clear uh all right we'll be back later in the week after the Met series to react.

Jack, give it to me one more time. Bring me to ground. He's Fred. I'm Salter. I'll see you later. 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

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