High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Don't You Dare Say The Phillies Are B***

Episode Date: August 26, 2024

The Philadelphia Phillies have won two-straight games and head back to Citizens Bank Park with renewed energy. James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are live, discussing the Royals series and if the team is truly b***. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

RBC has helped millions of young Canadians turn their most-likelies into most-definitelys, making their ideas happen with scholarships, internships, and skill development, plus resources for artists and athletes. Learn more at rbc.com slash support youth. This is an ad by BetterHelp. What are your self-care non-negotiables? It's hard to make time for the things that keep you healthy, but being consistent with self-care is like working a muscle. And when life gets crazy, that muscle keeps you strong. Therapy is the ultimate self-care, and BetterHelp makes it easy to get started with affordable online sessions you can do from anywhere.

Never skip therapy day with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com to learn more. That's BetterH-E-L-P dot com. All-star closer, Kenley Jansen, we have a question. Visit betterhelp.com to learn more. That's betterH-E-L-P dot com. All-star closer, Kenley Jansen, we have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball isn't boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names

to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast, it's my passion, it's a cause I started more than two years ago, and it's now the most prolific National Daily Baseball Pod. There is another fact So jump aboard the B. I B express follow and listen to baseball isn't boring presented by wasabi hot cloud storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts This is the high hopes podcast On the Odyssey app in sports radio 94 WIP. I feel a little less alone Yeah

It is Another edition of the Ios podcast presented by Miller light official Partner of the Philadelphia Phillies tastes like Miller time Philadelphia celebrate responsibly Jack Fritz Just hanging out at the shore. No big deal Doing the pot outside on a deck well you know we're we're back here working no big deal how you doing frenzy there's nothing better than fills down the shore i'm just saying it's my favorite happy right now it's it's my favorite thing in life it's my favorite thing in life watching the fills down here so uh yeah listen we'll see if anyone stops by and is looking to help join the podcast. Yes, yes, hopefully.

Hopefully, but that would be electric. So yeah, it was good. Yesterday I watched on my computer because God forbid, I'm not wanting to dime out any place, but they did not have NBC Sports Philadelphia as a- Poweredges. Poweredges. As an option.

So I had to watch on my computer, but as always, everyone here knows the rule. Sometimes you gotta leave Uncle Jack alone. He's gotta work. So it was exciting, it was big, and we're not gonna say it. I don't want anyone to say it. We're currently monitoring the situation, but if anyone says the b word Just just just don't now. Yeah, it's two games. Come on We can't I mean friday night at midnight or any of us even thinking about the b word. I don't think so No, I don't think so. You know I was thinking about the c word cook

You know like I was definitely thinking different words than the b word cooked. You know, like, I was definitely thinking different words than the B word. And but as as it is, two games happen. And we're monitoring the situation. Good, good. All right. So let's get to those two games. Friday, Friday. It didn't have well, we do need to talk about one actually hold on. I'm not going to say played in Friday's game. I'm

going to say participated in Friday's game. It's let me just put this let me put this out there about Friday night. Here's my positive on Friday night. Okay. The positive on Friday night is that I believe that might have been Tom Walker's last star is affiliate. Oh, please. Do you really believe that though? Like in your heart of hearts? Do you really believe that? Yes. Really? Wow, because I don't. I think we'll see him again. I hope so. I think maybe one more start. But okay. Good. Good. But there is a chance that that was

Tom Walker's last star as a filly. I mean it should be. Like at a certain point, you have to say, I don't care how much money we paid this guy, like everyone else is a better option. You might hate him. Colby Allard is a way better option than Tywhon Walker right now.

Like facts. I like what I saw from Kilby Allard. Oh, yeah. Listen, may have said some slanderous things. May have said, not sure he'd get out in the thie sack, but, but, competitive, and if you squint, if you squint, you can see Drew Smiley. Yeah, that's a tough beat right there.

If you squint, you can see Drew Smiley. Yeah, it's a tough beat right there. If you squint, you can see Drew Smiley. You thought I was gonna say Cliffley. Yeah. I definitely thought if nothing else, someone more prominent than Drew Smiley. For sure. Drew Smiley had a run about two years ago. Nice little career, man.

Nice little career. He did all right for himself. I feel like Drew Smiley's been around as long as Rich Hill, you know, but like not. But he hasn't. He hasn't, no. Dude, Rich Hill is somehow older than you. I know. He's the only one. I know. I know. He's the only person alive, I think, who's older than me. It's a miracle. I know. Yeah. No, but Colby Allard is at least competitive within the strikes.

He battles, man. He battles. Yeah. It's not always going to be perfect, but Colby Allard is going to competitive in the strike battles, man. He battles. Yeah, it's not always it's not always gonna be perfect. But Colby Allard is gonna do a job sometimes. Yeah, look, what do they do with Taiwan? So and we'll get to the fun and all but quickly before we move on Friday, because we can pretend it didn't happen. I'm good with that. But but moving forward, like, like maybe gets one more start, maybe doesn't. I think I'll probably get one more start with this

six man thing they're doing right now. We'll see. But like ultimately, do they just DFA him? Do they just say, yeah, you think they'd do it? Wow, wow. Yeah. I think they would just DFA him. You think Tywon Walker will not finish the season

on the Phillies roster? No, no, I think this is turning. Wow! Wow! I think this is turning into, I think it's turning into DD and Juris Familia and a double all over again, where it's just like, this is a team trying to win a World Series.

We can't mess around with Tom Walker anymore. And like, it's both Tyler Phillips and Colby Allard. And if Nick continues to pitch well, if like all these guys just give, an opener gives them a better chance. Like if they wanna to pitch well, if like all these guys just give, an opener gives them a better chance. Like if they wanna go that route, I would like Tyler Gilbert, I think gives them a better chance.

So yeah, I just wouldn't be surprised if that was his last time. It feels like it's kind of trending in that direction. I don't think they want him out there. I think they view it, like it's almost like we used to talk about the Phillies bullpen on the game of the ball game. It was like, well, today's a loss.

I think that, or, you know, we're going to lose. I think that's how the Taiwan Walker situation is gone. Like I just, I, I don't know how you can just keep putting him out there and giving this team absolutely no chance to win because that's what he's doing right now. I mean, he got blasted on, on Friday. I believe it. Yeah. I believe in one inning, he allowed seven seven balls over 100 miles an hour off the bat.

What are we doing? He's obviously been a disaster. It happens. It's okay. I guess. It's a 72 million dollar sunk cost, but he's not going to be in the rotation in the post season. I don't want him out there for the regular season.

Next year, Andrew Painter, I want in the rotation. It's just I don't want him out there for the regular season and next year Andrew Painter I want in the rotation. So like it's just it's just not worth having him out there. So I think it's over. I even if they give him another star like I just don't think this is going to be a long-term solution. I think he he looks at it and he looks defeated and and like the the days of Tom Walker in this village rotation, I think are numbered. I agree with numbered. I really hope so. It is a little different. You know, it happens you say, and it does, but like just million was a one year contract for,

you know, they only owed him a couple more million or whatever it was. Dee Dee, they didn't owe him much money left after that. Oh, doable same thing. Like this guy has like $40 million left on his contract. If they're gonna DFA him now 38 million whatever the number is like and I again, I would do it. I just want to make it clear. I would DFA him. I think he is a sunk cost to

Jack's point. I think he only hurts you on the roster. I'd rather have a roster spot for anybody and I would just eat it is what it is. But you don't see teams do this very often where they will eat this much money. Oh, Contraire Monferrer. Jose Abreu, they just did this with the Astros. They did. So Astros come into town.

Seems like I like that. Take a lesson. Exactly right. Now. Now he accepted a minor league. He went to the minors. Yes. Yeah. Before they ultimately just straight up cut him. So listen, you know, sports teams are making more than ever. You just looked at, I mean, if you want to go in Philadelphia, the Eagles ate all of

Carson's contract. The Broncos ate 80 some million dollars of Russell Wilson's contracts. Yes. And it was a little different because it's like, you know, fake money in some ways. The Diamondbacks cut Madison's bomb grinder shots. Look, it happens. It does happen, but it is rare. It is rare.

No, 100%. 100%. But like, I think for a team that needs a wake up call, for a team that needs to understand, like it's go time. I agree. And I thought now outside of the third baseman to start the game yesterday. They looked pretty locked in We'll get to that But you know, it's one of those like we're not here to screw around like we it's now August

He has been given a majority of the season. It's gonna be September next week Like we need to turn this around. We need to give our team the best chance to win We can't you know fumble this this thing away so if it comes to I just I think it's on the table, and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw the last of time Walker and I hope that's the case. Yeah, I do too. Fingers crossed, I guess is the best I could say. And look, I think, again, to the main point, it's what they should do. I mean, you're trying to win a World Series right now you're trying to look you're not even the one seat anymore. I mean, you're trying to make sure you don't have to freaking play in the wild card round. You know, you have to make sure you're you're not playing a three game series here at home to start like when you shouldn't have to. So I'm with you. Every game matters at this point. And just rolling them out there and taking a loss every day or whatever is it's not acceptable.

every 56 day or whatever is it's not acceptable dude he couldn't even Like sniff the playoff rotation last year when he won 15 games or whatever. Yeah Yeah, I mean what are the what are the tweets gonna be like this year? Like it did he did he write to Elon and say please make likes private So I could get the postseason. I mean that's what it seems like like. Right. Yeah. No, yeah, it does. Yeah. All right. Let's get to that the rest of the weekend, which was way more fun than Taiwan Walker. They scored runs, man. What was that offense? You said Taiwan gave up seven balls 100 miles an hour or whatever in one inning. I'm not sure the Phillies had that in a week with the offense

we were watching prior to this weekend. Well, all right. You can hear me. He's had that in a week with the offense. We were watching prior to this weekend well All right, you can hear me. Yeah, I got you. All right. Sorry. It's a mic is muted It was funny. I believe they scored I mean yesterday they scored more runs in that game than they did the entire brave series and They hit more home runs in that game. Yeah, sure that they did in the entire brave series. So They hit more home runs in that game. Yeah, then they did in the entire brain series. So And it was so it's it's interesting because you know, Gelber wrote this morning

they saw 55% like off-speed pitches over the weekend, which is Like a record I think for this year in baseball. I think he wrote last week that since mid of July teams are Throwing them 49% off-speed pitches which would set a major league record since that cast has been around so the Royal said all right we're just going to continue to span them with off-speed pitches and to their credit they finally adjusted like they finally oh wow i mean after the curveball machine rant you know they they kind of figured it out a little bit but like what what were they doing for those five weeks without the curveball machine rant, you know, they They kind of figured it out a little bit But like what what were they doing for those five weeks without the curveball machine not say like the curveball curveball machines

The end all be all but hey, you know when you're terrible against off speed pitches Maybe don't put the thing on on dusts for for a couple of weeks there or a month there, you know Maybe let's break the old the old dog out. We got we got work to do. So it was it was good offense. Ball machines really had a real a real triumphant redemptive narrative arc. It did. It went from the reason Gabe Gapler got fired or the or the moment we knew he was done to might have saved the Phil season. What an arc. It's beautiful. I mean, it's about as Philadelphia as it gets. I mean, five was that five years ago? I mean, what an arc. It's beautiful. I mean, it's about as Philadelphia as it gets. I mean, five, was that five years ago? I mean, was it five years ago? Oh, man.

I mean, it was 2019, right? Yeah, it would have been 2019. Yeah, that's crazy. I mean, Bryce is mocking the thing. He's laughing at it. I know, exactly. I'm not doing that. I know.

This is no joking matter. This is no joking matter. The curveball machine is here to stay, and if they put it away again, guess what? Fire everyone, because it's the single most important, it's more important than the jugs machine. Which is more important, the jug machine or the curveball machine? I think it's clearly the curveball machine. I mean, let's be honest. Yeah. Yeah, it's awesome. And you know what I love about the, again, when they can do this, it's good. Where it's not just relying on the home run. And obviously, like, of course, doubles in the gap are good and doubles

down the line, having a big ballpark like Kauffman Stadium, like it's all good. But but we didn't see as much flailing. We didn't see as much just trying to lift and launch, which I think they've done a better job of over the last week. I mean, they are seven and four in their last 11 games. I want to point that out. Oh, look 11 games. I want to point that out. Look at you. I want to point that out.

That's good work right there by you. And there was there was just more attempts at small ball. There was more. I mean, we had a hit and run yesterday, James. I know. It was followed up. And now by a drag bunt in in twenty twenty four. I feel like they're they're moving on the base pass like they. Hopefully it was a a breakthrough moment.

Hopefully it was, OK, we're comfortable here. But they got their hands full this week with the Astros coming to town. And then the Braves, yeah. They traditionally have obviously really good pitchers. Yeah, yeah. And then you got the Braves again, the big series after losing two or three down there and the Bats clearly not showing up against that Braves team down there. Like, yeah, it is to your point. It's, it's just strange how we can watch this team play the way they had played for, you know, obviously hadn't been the entire, you know, I know they've struggled since London on and off but but really the last two weeks we can have for it was Just they couldn't buy a hit and they they were chasing everything like we talked about and then all of a sudden

It's like they just come out and they pound the ball with the yard. It's like Okay, do that more like it doesn't seem like it should be that hard where we can go on these stretches Yeah, but it is, you know go on these stretches yeah but it is you know it is and i know i know them them more than almost any other team again like we're not watching day-to-day other ball clubs other than like i feel like the yankees are kind of like this where outside a judge hitting 51 by the way which is ridiculous insanity dude i'm just saying insanity he's 22 from. He's 22 from bonds with 31 to play. Oh, you're going there Could he do it? I mean it's erin judge. I wouldn't you know, I know I don't think he will do it but you know erin judge He's pretty good. I mean judge soda are good judge. Soto is is pretty remarkable

Oh, it's insane. Have you seen have you looked at the al walks leaders list anytime recently? remarkable. Have you seen, have you looked at the AL walks leaders list anytime recently? No, the only walks I care about are Schwabers. Dude, it's the Judge and Soto are like 108 and 106 or something like that and the next most is like 65. It's like insane. It's insane. They're so, the Yankees are mostly mediocre. You know what I mean? Yeah,'re they're quite mediocre actually yeah yeah with that with those two dudes it's it's insane I mean the year that judge hit 60 whatever they were they barely even made the playoffs mm-hmm he was hitting lead-off for him would you our friend Robert Orr texted us this this morning would you rather have Big Papi and Manny or judge and soda. I mean still big poppy and Manny but like so I mean it's just because of the history in the playoff stuff like I've not

seen judge and soda do this together in the playoffs. So I can't but like but I get the point like I think judge and soda right now are more talented that like they're better hitters than Manny and Ortiz were at their top. I think I think like it's close. It's really close. But I it's just because I saw Manny and Bobby coming through so many big spots. I can't get there yet.

I'll take pretty astounding. I'll take Harper-Bowm, but you know, sure. Me too. Yeah, no problem. You could have Judd Soto, but yeah, it's yeah, it's it's frustrating when they go through it It's also baseball, but I think this team more than almost any other. It's just like They just they all have to do it together. I don't get it. I don't get why it's so weird It's team wide and and I mean Trey said that last week where it's like, yeah We all go cold at the same time and it shouldn't happen by the way

I mean BOM shouldn't go cold for that long Turner shouldn't go cold for that long Harper is just like really mired in a in a serious power outage I mean he's a hit a couple doubles this series, which is good But I mean, I don't think he's at a home run since August 8th and he isn't even those doubles They're like, you know kind of soft down the line or it's not like he's smoking a ball off the wall or anything like that Yeah, so I mean like I thought he hit one pretty well yesterday. It was a good sign. And like, he's definitely not trying to swing as hard. But like, like, we know Schwerber and Harper are going to be more home runs.

And then everyone else, like, I don't think they should not be this lineup that goes cold all at the same time. Now, it's obviously chase like chase is the thing that kind of comes back to bite them. And I think that if you're looking for a silver lining, if you're looking for, I guess, something that makes you feel positive about the offense going forward, is that like, instead of it being the NLCS, where they were like someone figured out their kryptonite, they figured out their kryptonite in August. And for one series again where they where they threw you know 55% off speed pitches you know like they did well so in a in an optimistic sense they

may have found you know hopefully that the the answer against all the spin and maybe it was a curveball machine. Hey fantasy football owners, the road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception. Join me and James Coe as we take a deep dive into the position that's gonna make or break your fantasy roster. Wide receivers. We analyze route running, target share, and all the metrics that matter giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers. As you prep for your draft, matter, giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers. As you prep for your draft, let us give you the coverage you need.

Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. What if, what if I look at it's just, I'm at the point with this lineup. And again, you know, this weekend was awesome. It was great. But I just feel like even if they figure it out right now and they start hitting again, I feel like I'm just always going to be waiting for that night and that moment where this happens again.

And then it's like, and in the playoffs, like I no matter how good we've seen it, they could win a game 10-0. And it feel like every guy in the lineup is the best hitter we've ever seen. And then they can just go cold. So it's like, you're right. And I do think that there is a real possibility, because we know that they're way better than they've been like, we know that this group isn't gonna or most likely isn't just gonna not hit again this year, like, they'll

probably start to get better. I think that that could have been a catalyst. But it's just that constant, like fear just sitting there waiting for you and you never know when it's going to come. It's it's it is frustrating. It makes it hard to like, and again, I know we've talked as many times and I do believe you have be hot in October, any team can win if you get in if your pictures are hot, whatever and their pictures are gonna have to be. But like, I just, it's hard for me to like, believe for sure that anything is gonna happen offensively in a big moment until it, like they're through the moments. You know what I mean?

Well, as my advice is, don't believe. Just, again, currently monitoring. That's all we can do. All we can do is currently monitor. No one say the B word. No one even think about the B word. Just relax, relax. Don't get ahead of yourself. I would never do that.

I would never get ahead of myself. No, you never do. And start believing. You're very rational and very logical about it. And have the whole day revolved around whether or not the Phillies have won or lost the night before like Don't do that. Don't do that and don't believe until It's time, but it's it's currently not time If you were going to believe again someday

Let's say what were some of the things you saw this weekend that you think could have staying power so the biggest the biggest ones that seems like the the pitching staff is is definitely Ranger Ranger was the biggest thing that happened this weekend for me like I've ever all this I know the bats hit again like Ranger looking as good as he did on Saturday was the the single most important thing for me this weekend. Well, it's Ranger, but it's also, Chrysanches has looked good, like, Wheelers look good,

Nulls look pretty good as last couple outings. So, like, your big four, your big four have, are back, and Ranger obviously being back, is usually, all you have to do is kind of deal with the fifth spot every fifth day and see what happens. So, I think the start rotation having the run that they've been back, I mean, that's what made this team different in the first half and the first two and a half months was,

okay, well, the starting staff is ridiculous and they're out of this world. So, you know, are they as good as they were at the beginning of the season at the current moment? No, but like they're at least very, very stable. And I think they give this team a good chance to win night in night out. Like, I think we talked about last podcast,

like if you were looking for the positive off the brace here, he said that all the starters in the bullpen look pretty good. You know, Alvarado situation was obviously not great. You know, after he fixed the mound yesterday, that was a moment. It was up 11-3. It was like, yeah, like of course he's fixing the matter right now. This is such an Jose Alvarado moment. Are you denying what he did after he fixed the mound?

No, it was great. Yeah, it looked good. Yeah. I mean, honestly, I'm shocked. It's been this long that he's gone without fixing the mound. I feel like it was like every outing for a good, you know, for like the vast majority of his time. Should have fixed the mound earlier. Maybe we wouldn't be in this situation. So and then Kirkering, I think, I think one of the biggest developments is Kirkering, you know, and he went through a little bit of a maybe a dead arm period velocity was down But he's looking really good. I mean he hit 99 over the weekend, which is which is obviously huge

So getting the the the fastball command back with him and getting the belief back in that pitch is really really big Do I do I got Bobby wit in that spot too? Oh, dude. Hold on. I was told Bobby. What was the goat? I mean, he is definitely really good. I mean he hit a foul ball all the way down the right field line yesterday. The freaking home run he hit yesterday was a tank shot. I don't want to get ahead of myself but his home run swing kind of looks like Aiden's. Just letting you know. Just letting you know, it kind of looks like. Get ahead of yourself. And by the way, I feel like I feel comfortable

getting excited about Aiden again. If you noticed, I'm just taking you inside the pod inside, inside my brain there for a little bit. Always on your brain is the case. He struggled a little bit at the beginning. He's always there. At Jersey Shore, he went on a little bit of a cold streak. He was not talked about much in this podcast, but he's in about, his OPS is 1,100 in August.

So we're back. So we are in a good spot with Aiden. You can say we're back about Aiden Miller. We're back. Again, like you can have the little fillies. That's fine. There is, all right, I'm being pretty serious. Like kind of joking but but not not joking. Like sometimes around

730 or eight. Like I kind of forget that that Jersey Shore or Clearwater or Redding are playing like I just it kind of slips my brain. But when I go to check and see how they're doing, flips my brain, but when I go to check and see how they're doing, it's like a dopamine hit. When I check the live updates on Jersey Shore and Aiden is one or has a hit or two hits or God forbid hits a home run. Now I'm making sure it's what we're supposed to be hits a home run. And it's like, again, a that that I damn near well up at but

it's it's literally there's few things that bring me as much joy as seeing if Aiden gets a hit seeing if Dante Noury gets hit seeing if Carson DiMartini gets a hit it kills my soul the Griffin Burke holder is currently currently on the IL and I just It's it's my favorite. So it's all good. It's not now. I'm really happy for you. Thank you I'm happy that you have this. Yeah, I like it The minor league season can never end It's good, I don't know how we got there I was like Miller So pitching wise is it is a big is a big I was like, yeah, yeah. What do you see as big analytics? You're like Aiden Miller. Right, right.

So pitching wise is a big positive. Starting staff, definitely. The bats, I can't do it yet. I just, I can't. I can't bring myself to believe right now. But you know, I think for a majority, I think a reason to feel positive is that even when the bats have been struggling in the

Last two weeks the starting staff has really picked it up Yeah, I totally agree with you and like we've talked about many times if they're gonna win the World Series I think the most likely way that they win it is because we look back and say wow that Starting staff really was amazing and they carried them and they were great in the playoffs and I think that's their their best chance I think it's the best part of the team. So that's huge. The bullpen though, you know, is what still concerns me. And I know that we've had better outings

from some guys, Strom looks better, Hoffman's a little better. But on the whole, you know, when we're talking about, especially, you know, I'm watching Anthony Dominguez freaking close out games for the Orioles, happy we just trade him away. Not like we could have added another relief or anything. Where you at on the bullpen? You know, not a bad weekend per se, you know, it was really Taiwan, the only bad real, real bad pitching outing for the Phils this weekend. But the pen, like, are you starting to feel better? I mean, look, Jose Avarado is where he's at. But the pen as a whole, are you starting to feel better? I mean look Jose Avarado is where he's at But the pen as a whole are you starting to feel better than you were maybe a week week and a half again

I feel okay. I think the tough part to tell about this weekend is It was almost no high leverage spots. You know what I mean? Like Friday. There was no either down big or big up big Yep. Yeah, so like I can't I can't get to I'm actually Like I'm annoyed Max Lazar got sent down. Me too, dude. I love that guy. I was in on Max Lazar He's he he competes out there. He competes It seems like it's a tough fastball to kind of pick up got a little bit of natural cut to it So I think from a I think that I was certainly rather of Max Lazar on the mound than Tyrone Walker. That's for sure Yeah, I agree.

I think the biggest thing that happened, hopefully, for the bullpen this weekend is they got some spots, they got some work in not super high lever spots. So if they're working on things that they need to get right, you know, they can hopefully trend more in that direction to where it's not going to kill the team. Like for the last basically month, it feels like they've come into a bunch of tight games or they've been coming into games that are losing and they feel like they can't let up another run because they need to keep the offense as close as possible. So I think from the standpoint of, okay, here's some, go work on some stuff and try to get

your stuff back. So I think the most encouraging one and the most important one is Kirk Ring. I was never really too worried about Hoffman or Strom. Alvarado still not there, but I thought yesterday was a good step forward. Kirk Ring being back up to 99, the last like four outings have looked really, really good.

And like from that standpoint, they need someone else to emerge or else they feel an arm short Instead as I just I'm not gonna trust really until I until I see more But I don't think I'm gonna see that much more like Kirkering is a really big Guy to put into the high leverage mix with Hoffman and Schramm where it wasn't Hoffman Schramm you're putting into a game that you want to end that you want to kill and Kirkering is like that that be option if those guys are down like he's cast to be that kind of guy because it's not avarado right now

Hozer reason maybe pitching his way into that but again like he is we did this with Gregory Soto literally two months ago where it Was like okay, he's dominating in the fifth and sixth seventh inning. Let's try some high leverage spots and within two outings He was an Oriole So, you know some guys either have the high leverage stuff or they don't have high leverage, you know feel Jose Verado I don't know if he does not but you know, I it's almost like we did a Soto. I think Kirk Oren is more likely to be able to do that so I thought from that standpoint it was it was good to see Kirk Oren have that kind of weekend Yeah, look in Jose Ruiz obviously has not done it in the playoffs for the Phillies and

all that stuff. There's still huge questions to be asked there, but Kirkering's huge. I mean, I don't think, I feel like most, like no one has quicker innings more consistently than Kirkering. I feel like it's like, you know what I mean? Like it seems like it's, oh, like when he's on, it's just like bang, bang, bang, done, out, let's go. It's like, wait, what I mean? Like it seems like it's like when he's, when he's on, it's just like bang, bang, bang, done out. Let's go. It's like, wait, he pitched out at that.

It is wild. When he's on, he really mows him down. All right. What else you got? Take back. I got nothing else really. We're going to take back. We're going to take back early.

30 minutes in the bottle most. I mean, you know. Yeah. It feels like it's time. What else we got from the weekend? Give me something. No, I actually got, I gotta get them out. I gotta get them out from from in the take bag because again I'm down here and yeah, you're just sitting outside. We can hear the wind every once in a while. It's nice. Good. Good

Well what I did was as a little ambiance to the pod, you know, thank you. That's what I'm trying to do I'm trying to create ambiance. That's always yeah, is. Yeah, and all of them are down at the beach, including Walker, so just have the house to myself, which is great. Look at you. There is no more, because my brother, brothers-in-law, they gotta do all this stuff, you know what I mean? It's like, oh, can you go help set up the tent?

Oh, can you? Oh, yeah, yeah. And they just look at me with such disgustust of I can't go down right now guys, like I gotta do a podcast. It's like, that's great. It's like everyone just thinks all uncle Jack's just just doing nothing. You know, he's just, he's just messing around. You know, I'm working. All right. I'm working down here. But on the table, I mean, I'm working down here. Put your food on the table.

Listen, one Miller Lite at a time. One Miller Lite at a time. We are putting money on the table. That's right. So yeah, no, everyone's, so I hope they don't come like running through and possibly, you know, ruin this beautiful setup that we have out here. But it was, it was, yeah, it's been fun. There's again, there's nothing quite like fills the beach.

So it's good. Yeah, the beach to your point though, too much effort. I mean, I'm not saying that it's not going to be a good idea, but I'm just saying that it's a good idea. I mean, I'm not saying that it's not going to be a good idea, but I'm just saying that it's a good idea. I mean, I'm not saying that it's not going to be a good idea, but I'm just saying that it's a good idea.

I mean, I'm not saying that it's not going to be a good idea, but I'm just saying that it's a good idea. I mean, I'm not saying that it's not going to be a good idea, but I'm just saying that it's a good idea. I mean, I'm not saying that it's not going to be a good idea, but I'm just saying that it's a good idea. I mean, I'm not saying that it's not going to be a good idea, but I'm just saying that it's a good idea. I mean, I'm not saying that it's not going to be a good idea, but I'm just saying that it's a good idea. I mean, I'm not saying that it's not fun. There's again, there's nothing quite like, fills the beach.

So it's good. Yeah, the beach to your point though, too much effort and work. What you're doing, great. Hang out the house and do a pod, it's great. The whole like to your, you know, brothers in law's point, like, oh, let's go bring the tent down.

Let's go bring this, see how we'll set up here and then we'll do this. And we'll bring all the toys for the kids. It's like enough already. I just want to relax. That's how I feel. I tell you what nothing says relax quite like your voice. I know is about a very relaxed. I relax. It's a soothing sound that comes out. Yeah, you always

insult Ray tones. Like it's like basically the thing, like white noise. People put that on their sleep, like rain sounds or whatever. You can just listen to me. Same thing. Yeah, you calling the masters, like Jim Nance. Oh, yeah. Same kind of vibe.

Same kind of vibe. Just always chill. Yeah, shout out to Jim. Take him to the show. Still working. Still working. Yeah, still currently working. Not resigned. Yes. So currently working not not resigned Yes, you know, so there's there's a thing with Rob Thompson, right?

Where people think oh, he just kicks his feet up and lets the guys go do their thing And if they respond to respond if they don't whatever like Rob Thompson trust them It was a good moment that the cameras or whatever finally caught him like like maybe yeah talking to a guy The bone thing was was good yesterday. Like he needed to get talked to totally. I mean that was that was embarrassing or whatever finally caught him like maybe talking to a guy. The bone thing was good yesterday. Like he needed to get talked to. Totally, I mean that was embarrassing. Well and what I, listen, obviously you wanna do well

for your team and you wanna help your team win a ballgame. But when it's, this is Saturday night, when it's 11-2 and you're finally getting a big win or whatever the score was and Bryce Harper has to have his hand around you and like pick you up. It's like2 and you're finally getting a big win or whatever the score was, and Bryce Harper has to have his hand around you and pick you up, it's like, dude, you're winning. I know you're over five, but this team needs wins right now.

Alec Bohm's had a great year, but that, I just don't need. There's always stories of Utley saying, hey, if I'm over four but we win, I don't care. I just wanna win. And I thought it was a don't care. Like, I just want to win. And I thought it was a little bit much like the oh for five and being upset about it. Like, I know your parents are there and understand.

I go, I know you want to do well, but it's team time. And then- 100%. And then the double play immediately into the field forgets the outs. Like, come on, man. Like that's the kind of nonsense that, that costs teams ball games. And thankfully they were not, that it didn't cost them a ball game yesterday, into the field forgets the outs like come on man like that's the kind of nonsense that that cost

teams ball games and thankfully they were not that it didn't cost him a ball game yesterday but like you have to be locked in from from jump street to get this thing turned around and moving in the right direction so it was so disappointing and they ultimately won it was fine but like having the win saturday and then immediately come out, forget the outs. It's like, you can't just think you're back because you win one game. You have to go on a little bit of a run here to really start thinking that you pulled yourself out of this.

I think there's been too many times where they'll win one and be like, there it is, we're back. You have to dig and crawl your way out of this thing. So I thought it was good that Rob Thompson did that. And maybe it sent a message to the rest of the locker room. Yeah, I think you have to do it. And to your point, you know, like you're the cleanup hitter on this team.

Like, I mean, you got to like, there is more expected of you, you know, you are, it bothered me a lot. I hated seeing it, especially cause I was, I wouldn't have expected it from Bo. you know? And look, you know, he sat that the two games kind of out of three or out of four, whatever it was, or like, you know, what's going on here? Who knows if that's involved in it too, if maybe there's, you know, been some him being frustrated or whatever, I don't know. But I'm happy topper got on that. And you hope that that's the

kind of thing that's going to be taken care of immediately, you know Guy on a Harley did not respect the podcast. That was good. It was good muting by you. Yeah, it's good work Once you have a proud year once you have a producer here, you know exactly lose them. No, you're not wrong, buddy. You're not wrong Please respect the podcast. That's true. I Think it was a a good weekend from the standpoint of Bryce and Scott seeing more pitches. Like obviously the four hit game though the one now dude, I have never seen a ballclub have a tougher inning that I think the Royals had.

Oh, I know. Unbelievable. You let the ball fall in. Yeah, the one right, like Bobby Witt's going back, just like drops it, it's like, you got it, I got it. No, right in between them. Like, it was blooper type stuff, you know? And then they hit a rock, or whatever. Yeah, I know.

I haven't seen that since, again, I played in the PSAC. Yeah, it happens like once every decade I feel like there'll be a rock moment, which is great, which we needed it So I had a four hit game, but yeah, I'll take it But at least from the standpoint of I thought he was seeing more pictures of his family more pictures off He got into a couple three two counts like that's fine. Like you worry as At some point I appreciate trying trying something new I appreciate trying to to walk more and get on base more but like dude if you're if your specialty is

to strike hitting and putting the ball in play and Hitting 280 or whatever like be that guy I don't need to be a home run guy like if you want to if you're a 330 ovp guy Whatever like you don't need to be 380. So he maybe he's just not that guy when it comes to the walking stuff. So a good weekend from from from study, definitely not using the B word on him yet. You know, we definitely need to see a lot more before. That is good. Because he's someone we've talked about all

year. But, you know, he's someone who makes such a difference, especially with the stuff we've been talking about the last few weeks and what we saw this weekend is you know the guys are gonna put the ball and play the guys who are gonna move a guy over the guys who can execute a hit and run like those type of things like you're not gonna you know there's certain guys who go to the plate like you don't want Nick Castellanos doing a hit run you just don't but Bryson Stott can do all those things when he's on like he is he is a really valuable piece in a lineup that doesn't have a lot of guys like him. You know what I mean? Right. So yeah, I just like again, it was it was good to

see he needs to be a bat and ball guy. He needs to be hitting 280 does not like the 240 start is not is not what we need. So it was good from that standpoint. And speaking of like my weekend of Philly's watching, I did pull out the phone. I was at a wedding on Saturday. And I had- Oh buddy, did it?

You went for it? Had the people huddled around the phone. No, it's good work. I was, because I was so confused. Like I was like, I would look up, there'd be like whatever, first dance, I don't know. And- It did not sense going on right and and I looked back down all of a sudden balls bouncing over the second baseman's head and

Balls falling in right field and then the Royals look at the bad news bears out there So it was it was tough to be totally locked in and then at one point I looked down And I saw a ball flying into the stands. I was like they hit a home run I didn't know that was like, they hit a home run. I didn't know that was like with JT did what? Oh my god. Have it too. I know. By the way, is there anyone luckier on the planet that Garrett Stubbs had the day he did yesterday than Rob Thompson? Because like, he would have gotten apps if they lose that game and stuff stinks like destroyed today. Like people would be absolutely crushing Rob.

And honestly, rightfully so. Like when I it all worked out when I saw and I told him three days ago, he's getting a day off. Like what are you talking about? Like when after that night for JT to sit the next day and I know it's a day game like that was a crazy move and I'm happy it worked out for Rob because that I could have gotten ugly. I mean they do have 12 straight games after this. I get it but it's like the guy hasn't done anything in forever. It's two overs you sit him the next day like that's just a weird it's a bad look like and if he had if subs are not a good game they lost like people would

have crushed him. I'm just happy it didn't play out that way It would have been funny too if he didn't get pinched at four in the ninth and they're down one and they let stubby hit two outs Added to the to the misery so Yeah, no, it was it was and stubsy home run away from the cycle. He admitted going for it man He's going for it Listen man. He went for it. Listen, go for it more. Swing looked pretty good.

Yeah, dude. Swing looked like it was launching. So, good for Garrett Stubbs. It was good for Garrett Stubbs. All right, what else do we have in here? Marsh had a good week. He's hitting like 286. Yeah, a couple walks yesterday too. It was like what dude

Okay, by the way, is there a pitcher in baseball besides Simon Walker? That is that is more cook than Will Smith. Oh Dude, so I couldn't believe you still baseball. Yeah, I was like same Will Smith Like all right. Sure. Well, I think he's been on a World Series team each of the last three years. I think he's on the 21 Braves. I think he's on the 22 Astros. And then he's on the Rangers last year. Yo, he's definitely on the Astros.

Remember, that was the only lefty in the pan we talked about it. Yeah, well, he's on the 21 Braves. Yeah, I didn't realize he was on the Rangers last year too. And he's on the Rangers last year. Good work by Will Smith. Trucking along. I don't think the, well, the Royals, I mean, they could get hot, but. I mean, they're they're a contender.

You know, if he makes the World Series four years in a row, it's a pretty remarkable feat. It was Simon Will Smith is my takeaway. Then I want him as a filly next year. If the Royals get to if he if the Royals win the World Series, Will Smith this year, I will pay whatever it takes for Will Smith to be a filly like I'm in. He is, but he is terrible. I mean, he's horrible. Yeah, he's got nothing left, 100%. He is, he's nothing left. You would have appreciated this yesterday. So, my nieces are around Zoe's age. And I was, of course, watching the game, trying to be by myself but couldn't be by

myself. Of course. And they're just the whole time were like bad guys putting at the Royals. Like blue bad guys and then red good guys. And at one point my niece asked me, she clearly, so they live in Iowa so I don't see them as much obviously. And she was like, why do you love the Phillies so much? And I was like, so I was trying to explain it to her, but the only way I could explain it to a six year old is the Phillies are like my family. And I love them.

So, and I don't think she got it. Nope. Pretty hard for someone to grasp at that young of an age. But I, Uncle Jack, everyone knows, has a job to do. But yes, it was definitely, I was trying to explain while watching and then not getting upset. So thankfully they just torched them and it was easy.

I didn't have to like storm out of it. Yeah, like really dive into the whole thing. Yeah, and balance the game. We could be like, hey, blue bad guys. Yeah, so that was easy. Yes. That was funny. That was funny. That's strong work by you, yes.

And then the only thing I don't appreciate that the bad guy thing that's good work by the nieces like the caring and you know yeah yeah it's good I like that. The only thing I don't want to see this week is I just I don't want to see Alvarado and Jordan again. I'm not ready for it. Yeah that's like flashback city right there. Yeah man like not I really don't want that. I mean, it'd be nice if they just decided to sit Jordan for the games. I don't know if that's a possibility. Just not have to see him at all. That'd be really cool. I would love that. Bring back the DH or bring back pitcher setting in the ML so that he has to play.

Honestly, I'll put Chorver in left field for these games will I will take that sacrifice to get Jordan out of line up. Yeah, I can't believe monster And by the way like shame on everyone that covers baseball saying the Astros were dead. Oh, yeah shows are never dead No, they are not they're gonna win the division walking away. They got one of the bigger division leads all of a sudden It's like no problem. Yeah, just well that's what they do and it's with like again Cowboys been hurt forever for the, it's a generally crazy guy. He's like the best month and a half of the season ever to start the season and then he gets hurt and he has him, it's like, thanks, great.

The staff, I mean, the staff is so piecemeal together. I mean, like Framber's been pretty good, but and my guy, I'm nervous for the Phillies against Spence Arigetti. Arigetti, yeah. You know I love him. He's got stuff. Yeah, he's got some stuff. He's gonna be a Fritz guy next year, no doubt about it. Yeah, he's good, Arigetti. I don't love him. He's gonna be a Fritz guy next year. No doubt. Yeah, he's good.

He's a curveball machine. So not as good as our curveball machine, but he's a pretty good curveball machine. Thank you. But yeah, the Astros coming to town, I mean going from this and then four against the Braves. Like it's a massive week for the boys. It's a big week man. It's especially heading into September like this. It's like both a big week just naturally and it also feels like you know like they just the meaning of it like it just feels bigger. It's like we're starting September. It's go time like this is the month that historically has not been awesome. Historically, they've gotten off slow starts. That's true. They flipped it around this year.

And not to say the Phillies are the B word. But maybe that maybe that they have found something and they're going the opposite this year. So we'll see. But at town Walker is slated to start Thursday, I believe, to open the Brave series. I tell you what would be a bad idea, letting Taiwan start the Brave series. So maybe there is there a, is there a reverse Trey Turner thing that could be done here? Like if they actually do roll Taiwan out Thursday, like a standing boo or something to start

the game, like a way to let them know that we're not okay with that Walker. Is that? I don't know. I know. Why not? Oh, wait, we don't need to do anything because that's what people are going to do. People are going to boo the moment he takes them out. Oh, it will take care of itself, especially they will. If they, God forbid, lose two or three to the Astros and they go down early and against the Braves. Oh, the place I can even imagine. Oh god

It's a yeah, it's both an exciting week, but a very very Very stressful week. It's a terrifying week is far more terrifying than exciting, but fingers crossed. Yeah, it's where you're for Oh project confidence Yes, no one better no Project confidence. Always. Yes. No one better. No one better. I mean, to be fair, you know, it would be hard to project confidence. Right.

If, and then final, final thing, just as general baseball, who would be your AL MVP if Otani was having the season in, in the AL? Have you stayed? It's still judge, but like the- Dude Have you stayed? So it's still judge. But like the dude, he's having a 40 40 year. I know he is too. It's insane. I saw I saw a wild stat that statistically and granted,

you could argue like what statistics are being used and all that. But in terms of like the overall statistical profile, Otani's 40 40 season this year would rank as the 11th best statistical season of Barry Bonds' career. Really? That's what I saw. What about judges year? Is judges year? I don't know. I didn't see the judge. I think it would go judge Otani Witt would

be my order. But like again, like Bobby Witt is the one who's like, we're not even mentioning the guy. Like he's the best defensive shortstop in the sport. He's betting almost 350 with he's going to go 30, 30 or 30, 40, whatever that was going to do. Like, and it's like, oh yeah, nice season. Like he's an MVP, like 19 out of 20 years in baseball. It's all the way. The NL would just be Ozuna and Lindor.

We basically be the NL and just be Ozuna and Lindor. That would basically be the NL MVP. I know, I know. It'd be so disappointing. Thank God for Otani there. So like, so yeah, Witt's having a mon, and by the way, like, Soto's had a ridiculous season. Soto's had an insane year, yeah, totally. So, pretty good.

If it weren't for Otani, like, all of those guys would win the NL MVP going away. Yeah, yeah, away. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, but yeah, the AL of those two were over there would be insane. And I think I saw something yesterday that judged the first player in baseball history to have 50 home runs, 100 walks and 120 RBIs by September.

Yeah, he's also, I think he's also I think he's the was it if something about the first guy of three and 5050 in three separate seasons like first guy since some long time like he it's it's unbelievable. I mean, it's not September. It's August 26. He's got 51 home runs. It's crazy. Like he went from like, it's he went from like probably a definitely not a Hall of Famer to it till I got three years cold Hall of Famer he's gonna hit like he might hit 600 plus home runs in his career more I mean, it's It's just funny that I thought that I thought these offense these offensive kind of seasons were dead You know like the the year that rock that that Ryan Howard at 58 306 in the 58. Yeah, I was like Oh, it's like we're never gonna see that again

I mean he's doing it again. So it's still pretty nuts. It's pretty nice. It's pretty good But the Yankees are still mediocre. So yeah, I hate to see it. Love to see it. All right Are you anything else? I'm gonna go to the beach Did enjoy yourself? Yeah, that's great. Have fun, buddy. All right we'll be back later in the week. React to the Astro Series. Please. Please. Please. Don't let the Fills take two or three.

Don't let the Fills take two or three. There it is. There it is. And N, don't say the B word. Don't say the B word. No B word. Monitoring. Don't say it. He's for some seltzer.