High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: A Frustrating Friday Night Loss

Episode Date: July 1, 2023

Jack Fritz reacts to a Phillies' 2-1 loss at the hands of the Washington Nationals. 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

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Certainly looks better than the Phil's offense. Regency Furniture. I can say that with pretty good confidence that Regency Furniture looks better than the Phil's offense. I mean, holy cow. I mean, that's just a dreadful loss. In the grand scheme of things, it might not mean that much, but, you know, when you dig yourselves a six-game under

500 deficit, you climb back out of it. Six games, over 500. Things are rotting hot. You've won nine straight. You've won four straight. You just swept the Cubs down to Chicago. And to come home and lay an egg like that is just so annoying.

You're going to lose baseball games. Good teams lose baseball games all the time. You don't need to rewrite the entire story of the 2023 Phillies with that loss tonight. But it's just like, you didn't, this is going to sound very simplistic, you didn't have to do that. You didn't have to do that.

215-592-9494 is how you get in. Yes,'t have to do that. You didn't have to do that. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94 is how you get in. Yes, this is the final out. Jack Fritz hanging out with you on this Friday night. I don't think anyone's left the ballpark yet. From what I've seen, the drone show looks absolutely incredible. So, I hope you enjoy the rest of the night down there. But overall, I mean, the fireworks definitely happened after the show. And what happened during the game was just dreadful. Let's get to the takeaway of the game, the biggest

takeaway of the game, which is always brought to you by Morgan and Morgan. And my biggest takeaway from the game and the thing that hit me on my way out as I watched, was it three straight strikeouts to Hunter Harvey to end the game, is that if this team misses the playoffs it's because the offense and that is becoming more and more abundantly clear it's not the fifth starter it's not Aaron Nola it's not the bullpen it's not a week ago bringing in Junior Marte to a tie game or Jeff Hoffman into a tie game. It's this offense. And it's disappointing because the talent is there. And what frustrates me, and listen, I think Kevin Long is a smart guy, but there's too much talent in that offense. And you can yell about Cody Clemens, yell about Edmundo Sosa,

yell about the bottom of the lineup all you want. But the fact of the matter is, is that Schwarber's batting in the 180s again. Trey Turner's batting 240s. Bryce Harper can't lift the ball. Nick Cassianos has been great. There's been nothing wrong with Nick Cassianos. JT has just been terrible for the last 10 games offensively. Bryce's not fine.

Alec Boehm can't lift the baseball. Brandon Marsh went through about a month and a half slump. Overall, the numbers look fine. It's not a big deal. But it feels like for two straight years here with the majority of the same guys that it's still bad at bats, not being locked in enough.

Runners in scoring position has felt like a problem here. And just not enough. Grinded out and win a game when you don't have your A game. You didn't have your A game tonight. That's fine. Like, Josiah Gray was good. And you went out there. And to have runners on first and third no out,

and your big money guys coming up bryce harper and jt real muto and to come out of there with absolutely nothing and then forcing bryson stott to like chase because he's pressing in that spot it's not great like you have to be able to to lock in there and get a job done i mean winning baseball has been a big problem for this team this year, and not being able to get the job done there is absolutely killer. And if we look back at the end of the year, and they miss the playoffs by a game or two, we're going to look at tonight as one of the games being like,

they gave away a game. Because that's what tonight was, is that the Phillies absolutely gave away a game tonight at Citizens Bank Park. Runner to scoring position is just, it's so frustrating. They get a good amount of base hits. They get guys on base. First and third, no out.

No one scores. Next inning, Alec Baum leads off with a double. Doesn't come home. That is losing baseball, and that is frustrating. Bryce, like, I just, I keep waiting. He is, there's a couple things going on with Bryce right now. One, he is just driving the baseball into the ground. Just absolutely driving the baseball into the ground.

Not lifting it at all for any kind of power. And you just watch him. for any kind of power. And you just watch him, and I feel like he is trying to erase a month-long streak of not hitting a home run with every single at-bat and trying to just do too much. And I totally get it.

This is not like a... I'm not sitting here crushing Bryce, because this is what I... It's almost like what you want is to see your guy like fighting and trying to do his best to get out of a slump but he like for the sake of all of us we need that guy to hit a home run because I think he's gonna snap soon like he needs to hit a home run because every swing it looks like he is trying to hit 30 home runs in

a month it is i mean tomorrow if he goes over tomorrow from the home run department no home runs in june and what it's encouraging about what is happening with this team right now is that they've won 17 games in june and bryce harper has done virtually nothing in the power department. JT, last 10 games, he's batting 150-ish. 12 for 19 this year with the run in the scoring position. And you look at the overall numbers, I was honestly surprised.

It hasn't felt this bad with JT. But overall, 244 hitter with a 752 OPS after tonight's game. He's down to 244.ter with a 752 OPS after tonight's game. He's down to 244. JT Real Muto. So, you know, last year he was also struggling in the middle of the year

and then started to pick it up after what happened in Canada. So, like, either way, the studs aren't being the studs. Trey Turner, you know, he got on tonight and stole a base. That was good. But still, it's not – it doesn't feel as impactful. If they miss the playoffs, it's going to be on this offense. And it's just incredibly frustrating, the style of play, especially what they were doing tonight.

Because they're better than that. And they know they're better than that. And if you can't get a guy home, runners on first and third, no out, to tie a game up and do your job, it's losing baseball. Next inning, double to start the inning off. Doesn't get home. Losing baseball.

215-592-9494 is how you get in. Other takeaway from tonight, a positive, is that this pitching staff is continuing to do its thing. Christopher Sanchez was great. He has done – he's exceeded my expectations. He looks comfortable out there.

He has a good pitch mix. The slider – or the fastball changeup thing he has going right now, it's not Ranger Suarez, but it's like Ranger Suarez light to me. And that little slider he can flip in there is a good little pitch for him. So, Christopher Sanchez has exceeded my expectations. You know, I thought the bare-handed catch to end his night was a good little fun

moment. And for now, he has totally stabilized the rotation. So, you talk about the concerns with this team. Like, oh, they got to go get a fifth starter. I don't think so. You have Ranger, Tyjuan, Wheeler, Nola, Chris Sanchez for the moment. Doing his job totally fine with him.

Andrew Painter's coming. It was before the game. All the beat writers tweeted out. He had an up-down bullpen, which I read too fast and said it was an had an up-down bullpen, which I read too fast and said it was an up-and-down bullpen. It just means you go out, you pitch a simulated inning, go in, sit in the dugout like you would normally do, and then go back out.

So he is on his way back. That's your fifth starter right there. Now, if they want to go out and try to trade for a top-of-the-line starter with the idea that maybe Aaron Nola's not going to be here after this year, that's different than go get an innings eater type number five to stabilize that spot. They need a bat. The Phillies need a bat in that lineup.

That's going to be the big thing for them. But either way, Christopher Sanchez doing his job. Jeff Hoffman, I thought, just a clean, normal inning, which is refreshing. That little splitter he's starting to throw now, split changeup, whatever it is. That's definitely a weapon for him. And then Matt Strom, the last couple of outings, I feel like he's been down

to 92-ish, and the stuff just looks like it's been flattening out a little bit. Tonight, I felt like some of that life was back. And I think they're being very, very cautious about overusing him too much and not trying to run him into the ground. I mean, they essentially gave him off last week. And I think you're starting to see it pay dividends early.

2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94. But obviously the biggest takeaway of the game, which is always brought to you by Morgan & Morgan, Morgan & Morgan, America's largest injury firm, is this offense. Just even in Chicago, first two nights were good. Last night, one for nine with run scoring position. Tonight, more problems in that category. It's never felt totally right.

For about a two-week stretch at the beginning of June, it felt right. And that's been it this year. That has been it. So if they miss the playoffs, it's going to come down to this offense. Let's kick it off. I mean, you're calling at 930 on a Friday night. What are you doing, buddy? It's Black Gritty.

What's happening, BG? Nolo! The Phillies are going to win the World Series. Why is that? In 2024. Okay. I'm just calling it early for next year. I'm calling you because I'm hurting inside, Nolo.

What are we doing? Just hit the ball. What you said about Bryce is exactly right. His body language, his demeanor, he's pre-depressed before he even does anything, and he's trying to be Hercules every time he goes up there. I'm like, bro, just tap the ball in play and push the people around. Like, can we just play small ball a little bit? I know you ain't hit a home run, but you can still hit a ball, right?

Apparently not. And JT apparently doesn't read the Sky report. They have his own Sky report. He swings the first pitch, everything goes out no matter what. I don't care what it looks like. And Trey Turner, what is he swinging at? He looks like an 8-year-old in 8U baseball. Well, here's what I don't get about Trey, BG,

and obviously I'll let you continue. But, like, it's just – hey, Trey, these guys in the scouts and the analytics department, they're not dumb. So if they see that you're going to swing at every single slider first pitch, guess what they're going to throw you until you don't? It's sliders. And it just feels like every time he goes up there, he's down 0-1 because they're like, hey, guess what we're going to do?

We're going to throw a first pitch slider and see if he chases it. He chases it every time. Like, just calm down. Like, you're not erasing a.247 average to start the year here in one swing. Let the game come to you. But, man, it's just there's so much chase with this offense. It drives me nuts. Where is your manager, the batting coach, the analytic dude in the suit?

Who is not telling him, yo, bro, don't swing. I don't care what you do. First pitch, don't swing. Let's just try it one game. Let's see what happens. Break the rhythm because I'm like, you know i know it i'm not smart i'm not mr baseball like you but i can see it and i'm like how is no one telling you not to do it it's so infuriating philadelphia shows up you know what i mean the stadium is sold out i'm just sitting there i'm feeling the vibe i got

surround sound bro i hear people chattering and singing and clapping and cheering doing all the things they're supposed to do, and then you show up and do this for me. And again, I know it's just one game. I'm sure they're going to win a series, but nights like tonight make me enraged in my heart, and we deserve better, no low. But don't worry, 2024 World Series.

That's all people care about right now is the 2024 World Series. Appreciate the call, buddy. Enjoy the rest of your Friday night. Yeah, and it stinks because the crowd was great. And I was sitting there, even when they were down 2-1, fifth, sixth inning, whatever. I was like, they're not going to lose this game. Like, it's frustrating.

The offense is not doing its job. I get it. But they're not really going to lose this game. And then they messed around and did. And it was just incredibly frustrating. Let's get to the player of the game, which is brought to you by South Jersey Gas. Committed to providing safe, reliable, affordable natural gas. Make the switch at southjerseygas.com slash lovemyhome.

And I'm going to give it to Christopher Sanchez. I don't care that the Phil's lost. I thought he was brilliant. And I think that him being able to stabilize this rotation and not have the fifth spot be an albatross and having Dylan Covey out here, who, by the way, still on the roster, still here, but not having to have a bullpen game essentially every fifth day is just massive. I mean, you're giving these guys time off,

and you're letting them kind of settle into roles, especially with Sir Anthony Dominguez on the IL. You don't want to overspose this bullpen. 215-592-9494. If you're leaving the ballpark, we'd love to get you in. Or if you're just watching at home and we're frustrated sitting on the couch like I was, regardless, I'll get your phone calls on the other side. But also, one move that Phils have to make tomorrow

because this run by one certain player, I believe, has come to an end. And a lineup change that I think would pay immediate dividends. We'll get to all that coming up next. It's Jack Fritz here on the Final Hour. Sanchez kicks and fires. And the pitch swung on, lifted deep to left field. Schwaraber is back at the track he's out of room it is gone and Stone Garrett with his fourth home run of the season and it's a two-run shot compounding the mistake for Turner as the Nationals lead it to nothing welcome on back it is the final out

sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable never looks so good. Jack Fritz hanging out with you here on this Friday night. At least I got it over with early. Game started at 6. Done by 9. The drone show's going on. Disappointing offense. Whatever. But what you just heard was the

play of the night, which is the Mike's Amazing play of the night presented by Mike's Amazing. The official mayo, mustard, and vegetable oil of the Phillies. And that was it. I mean, that was freaking it. To lose a game where, again, first off, you're playing the Nationals, which is just – they've owned the Nationals for the last two seasons, basically.

I mean, playing the Nationals last year is essentially what allowed them to get into the playoffs. So, very fond mean, playing the Nationals last year is essentially what allowed them to get into the playoffs. So, very fond memories of playing the Nationals. But I will say, the last time they lost a Friday night game to the Nationals, they went on a nine-game winning streak after. So, hey, maybe this is a start of something good. And they need it because next week's a Miami series. But still, you know, you're going to lose games.

You're not going to win every game. Bad teams win, unless you're the A's. Bad teams generally win 60-plus games a year, and they get theirs too. But when you lose 2-1 and you have runners on first and third with no outs, don't score, runners in scoring position, Alec Boehm has a double to lead off the next inning. He doesn't score. It's annoying. It's annoying.

And you can't help but think, especially given how tight the wild card race is. Again, if they had won that game tonight, right now, the Mets blew it. Just kidding. This is trending towards the Mets beating the Giants tonight. But, of course, in classic Mets fashion, they allow three in the eighth. What are we doing? Three in the eighth. Our old pal David Robertson.

Oh, my. Wow. So, I was about to set up that had they won tonight, they'd be one game back because the Giants are going to lose to the Mets. But the Mets messed it up. And while I love making fun of the Mets, I mean, I actually need them to start winning these games. They're playing the Giants this weekend.

Like, let's step it up a little bit and maybe keep Buck Showalter around a little bit longer. But now with the loss tonight, you know, they're going to go back to two and a half games out if the Giants hold on. lost tonight, they're going to go back to two and a half games out if the Giants hold on. It's just, these games are starting to matter more and more. It's June 30th. You're officially

81 games through the season. They are five games over 500. It's been fine, but when you lose games like that, and especially with how tight this run's going to be, this race is going to be towards the end, those kind of games are going to be ones you look back at the end of the year. If you do games like that, and especially with how tight this run's going to be, this race is going to be towards the end, those kind of games are going to be ones you look back

at the end of the year if you do come up short as missed opportunities, because that is what tonight was. We'll get back to the phones here in one second, but Cody Clemons has been a nice story, but I just, for the life of me, given the power issues this team has why Derek Hall

is not up here tonight was their first opportunity to take him off the you know bring him up from AAA when they sent him down there he had to stay down for 10 days that's part of the rules Cody Clemens is playing well before that but he's batting under 150 in June now, I believe. He has no home runs. He's playing a ton. I mean, Derek Hall was a guy that they trusted enough before he got hurt to be their starting first baseman while Reese Hoskins was hurt. Cody Clemens came up and did his job. But it's time to cut out the nonsense. It's time to get Derek Hall back up here.

Cody Clemens, a nice role player. But what are we doing here? I mean, I'm not the biggest Derek Hall guy in the world. But at the same time, first off, you need him up here at least until Bryce can play first. And if he can play first, great. It seems like that's all ramping up. But at least I would like to know if Derek Hall can stabilize that position for the time being. But at the same time, I guess whoever can play first and get Schwarber out of left at this point is a win. Either way, Derek Hall's got to get up here because the Cody Clemens thing is just over. The Cody Clemens-Lynn Sanity run has come to an end.

He is what he is. He's a quad A baseball player. That's what he is. It's fine. Not everyone needs to be a stud. He's a pretty good player, but it's time for Derek Hall to get up here. I have one thought on the lineup I want to get to, but first, let's go back to the phones and talk to Taylor in Scranton. What's

happening, Taylor? How's it going, Jack? I wish it was going better, buddy. Yeah, seriously. My biggest takeaway with this team right now is they just need to relax with guys on. It's insane. They go up there and they look...

I swear they're looking to be on some kind of highlight reel every time a runner touches second base. Like, we might need to flip some Xanax or something in the lineup or something because it's ridiculous. Well, and it's been that way I feel like a majority of the season. I mean, what I think a lot of the base running issues are are strictly just trying to do too much and trying to be the hero in every play. And I look at Bryce right now. I feel like he's trying to be the hero on every play. Trey Turner

is swinging at every first pitch trying to make an impact. JT, it feels like he's trying to lift the ball, but it's not working. And then you get to like, and Bryson's thought is not usually like this, but there's two times tonight where he chased 95 above the strike zone. It's like, that's not you. That's not you, Bryson. the strike zone. It's like, that's not you. That's not you, Bryson. Just calm down. But it's been that way all year, this offense, where I just – and there's been times this year where I'm like, okay,

there's the deep breath kind of series. But they just get right back to being completely tight. And I can't put my finger on why that keeps happening. It's insane watching happening. It's insane watching them. It's just, they're so tense. They're so awkward with every at bat with runners on. Like, they just need to replicate what they do

because they're getting hits. They're just not doing it with guys on. It's maddening. And they don't hit home runs, Taylor. Like, they don't hit the ball out of the ballpark. They did a pretty good job of it in Chicago this week, but other than that, I mean, they just don't hit the ball out of the ballpark. They did a pretty good job of it in Chicago this week. But other than that, I mean, they just don't hit the ball out of the ballpark. It's insane. Really, truly insane.

You got to wonder if Kevin Long is the right guy at this point. I get being aggressive, but you got to wonder what he's teaching them at this point. Yeah, I mean, it's so tough because on one hand, I like what Kevin Long has done with some of the younger guys. On the other hand, I don't know really what he's – at this point, Schwarber's been around forever. Trey's been around forever. Bryce's been around forever.

JT's been around forever. You know, like Bryce's thoughts, fine. He's never going to be a power hitter. You don't really need that from him. Boehm has been very disappointing. But you see him working with some of the younger guys and getting good production out of them. Brandon Marsh, Christian Pache

has turned into an interesting little piece. I mean, Stott is having a good year for what it's worth. Cody Clemens showed you a little bit. So you see some of that from the young guys. But even last year, it still felt really inconsistent. And the thing I keep coming back to with Kevin Long and what they're doing on the offensive side of the ball is I watch a team like the Dodgers.

I watch a team like the Giants, who don't have the most talent in the world. And I just, it feels like they're more connected all throughout and even like i mean the braves are an extreme example but like they had a ton of home runs and they don't strike out and it just feels like i i see other lineups with late with way less talent getting way more production than his team right now and even with guys in their lineup who aren't the most power guys, to be 24th in home runs is just not good enough. It's not good enough with some of the names that are in there.

Heading into the end, let's see, 20th in home runs with 86. I think that helped with what they were doing. But look at the Braves who lead baseball in home runs. Dodgers are second. Tampa Bay's third. The Angels are fourth, Yankees fifth, Texas sixth. Now St. Louis has hit a ton of home runs. They've been bad.

That's the outlier. Um, but it just, the best offenses, offenses in baseball are driving the ball out of the ballpark. And, you know, I see a Giants lineup who has more home runs than the Phillies. Who's the number one power hitter on the Giants? a Giants lineup who has more home runs than the Phillies. Who's the number one power hitter on the Giants? It's just, there are teams that

I believe don't have the star power the Phillies have that are getting more out of their offense than what this offense, what they're currently doing. And Kevin Long's been to a ton of big games. He's won a couple championships.

But there's too much inconsistencies here to where someone's got to take the blame for it. And the players aren't going anywhere. They're not going to fire Kevin Long right now. That would not be the right course of action. They're five games over.500. They'd be good in June. But it's fair to start wondering about them.

And it stinks because I thought they had a real difference maker there. But when I look at the contrast between what Caleb Cotham and his staff is getting out of the pitchers versus what Kevin Long is getting out of what I believe is a more talented unit in the offense, I mean, Cotham, people love to rip analytics, and they love to rip the modern style of pitching. Well, it's working.

What is Kevin Long doing? How about some modern styles of hitting, Coach? So that's just something to definitely monitor as the season goes on. One thing that I am growing more and more interested in while he is not hitting for power is moving Bryce Harper to the leadoff spot. And something that I think might help Bryce get going here is instead of having JT

real immutable batting behind him, if you make him the leadoff hitter while he continues to hopefully get his power back, he has Trey Turner behind him. He has Kyle or he would have Castellanos. He would have Kyle Schwarber all backing him up. So it's no longer JT into Bryce into Boehm, which at this point, unfortunately is a drop-off, it would go Harper, Turner, Castellanos, Schwarber. So maybe he gets more pitches to hit, and if he gets more pitches to hit,

maybe he can start driving the ball out of the ballpark more, because right now he just looks incredibly frustrated. Just incredibly frustrated. Trying to make up for a month-long drought, I feel like, with every single pitch. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94. I don't know if they'll do it, but I would 100% consider putting Bryce at the leadoff spot

while he's not hitting home runs. You get more base hits, you get similar OBP, and you get a chance to have more pitches to swing at. I think it's a win-win all-around. Plus, I mean, him at the top of the lineup with the bottom of the lineup would create more fear, I believe, in some of those pitchers. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94. We'll get to all of your calls on the other side, but also we will check the matchup for tomorrow

before handing things off to Jody Mack. All that is coming up next here on The Final Out. Hey, fantasy football owners. The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception. Join me and James Coe as we take a deep dive into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster. Wide receivers.

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Jack Fritz hanging out with you for the next couple of minutes before handing things off to Jody Mack, who will take you through the rest of the night. A lot of interesting sector stuff to get into. And, of course, continuing to react to a brutal Phil's loss tonight against the Nationals. And an interesting thing to just continue to point out how futile this offense has really been, even though they've won games. And that's why I was trying to explain to Ike from last weekend.

It was like, yeah, they took two or three from the Mets, but the offense is still not clicking and not firing on all cylinders. And I just keep waiting to see the real Phil's offense because on paper, it's ridiculous. But this is from Destin LaGuardo after the game that, you know, today marked the third time in the last 10 games that they've had one extra base hit or less in a game. And that's just awful.

It's awful for modern baseball. So that's not great. Looking around the league tonight, Milwaukee looks like they're going to beat the Pirates. They're up 7-4 in the eighth. The Giants came back from a 4-2 deficit in the eighth against the Mets. They're up 5-4. Miami's getting bludgeoned by the Braves tonight. So, man, Atlanta's 14 games over.500.

They'll lose tonight 13 games over.500. So, Phil's got some work to do to make up on that. The Dodgers are winning 5-2 in the sixth against the Royals. So, things are not breaking the Phil's way tonight. Looks like the Brewers are going to win. Giants are going to win. Dodgers are going to win. Marlins lose, but they're up by a lot right now in the wildcard chase.

So who really cares at this point? The three teams the Phil's are primarily chasing look like they're going to win. So not great. We will start to look ahead to tomorrow in a couple minutes. But Jeff is in Glen Oldham. What's happening, Jeff? Hey, Zach. So I'm just curious.

If you ask Thompson a question and he can only give you one answer, what is his priority going into the game, to make his players happy or to win the game? What do you think he would answer that question with? I think he cares a lot about players being comfortable for sure, and I think that he believes that the comfortable, it will lead to more wins. But what is this more in relation to the lineup? Well, you gave those stats on Bryce and JT for the whole month of June.

And yet, you know how many times that Bryce didn't bat fourth and JT didn't bat fifth in the lineup in the June? Zero. Yeah. So, I mean, seriously, you've got to do something. Don't tell me nobody else is hitting. You have to do something. Who are you putting there?

It doesn't matter. If this isn't working, you have to try to change. If you were Rob Thompson, you would move Bryce to seventh in the lineup? First of all, at least for the last two, three weeks prior, Boehm has been hitting the ball. Bryce Stott's been hitting the ball.

Marsh has been hitting the ball. Those are our six, seven, eight hitters, and they're batting behind guys that are batting 150 in a lineup, and JT, who's a strikeout or a double play every at-bat. The JT one is interesting. I'll give you that. I just think that you do more harm than good by bumping Bryce down the lineup. I think batting him one and letting him use his on-base skills is interesting,

but to drop him lower for, like, Marsh or Stott, I think, does more harm. The way Nick's hitting, and he seems like he's almost always on base, the fact that Bryce is still not hitting when they have to pitch to him and they can't pitch around them, that's a scary thing to look at. Well, they could pitch around him. JT's hitting behind him. So you just can't explain why this guy refuses. And the only reason you can think of is he's there to make his players happy.

I think he thinks that's going to lead to more wins. I mean, listen, if we gave Jeff the keys to the castle for one day, he's going in and telling the $330 million right fielder who is coming back from Tommy John in record time that, hey, we're swapping you and Alec Bone tonight. Have fun with that conversation. Mike's in Westchester.

What's up, Mike? Hey, what's going on, Fritz? Tough loss tonight. I do have some ideas about potential lineup changes. Not as drastic as the last caller. But I think to your point, if this is kind of what we're getting from Harper, which is maybe power is just a little zapped this year, which is okay because, yeah, he just came back from Tommy.

Yeah. Oh, man. I love Mike and Wes. That's a good caller. I was actually curious what he was going to say. Either way, yeah, I mean, the lineup, they're going to kind of roll with it for you know like rob thompson does believe in in making sure his guys are comfortable and and he believes that

they're comfortable they're gonna get the he's gonna get the best version of those guys but um it has been disappointing the offense the last little bit here so again i i just i would just put bryce the lead off see what happens i i think he'd have a better chance of getting more pitches if it's Turner behind him, into Castellanos, into Schwarber. I just think that that gives him a better chance to get going. And if he does get going, great. Then you can put him back at four and swap him, Schwarber, whatever. And you still have the threat of Schwarber leading off with a home run and stuff like that.

But at least while he's not hitting home runs, for that matter, I would put Bryce at the leadoff spot and see if that jump starts things. Tomorrow, Mackenzie Gore on the mound versus Zach Wheeler. A good get-right spot for Zach. Last start against the Nationals did not go well. I believe he had seven earned in that start. But

I mean, I remember watching it. It was a lot of bleeders. It wasn't like he wasn't striking guys out, which is annoying. But it was a lot of soft contact that just happened to fall in. But really, Zach Wheeler, the last two starts, has not been the dominant Zach Wheeler. But it has been the Zach Wheeler where it's like, even when he's not amazing, he's still really good.

He still gives you a chance to win while he's getting right. So it's a get-right spot for for Zach Wheeler heading into a start against the nationals tomorrow. Mackenzie Gore. He has a four, five, five ERA in June, but he did have five innings of one run ball.

His last start out against the Padres, young pitcher, high, high pedigree, former topic in the draft who they got in the one soda trade last year. So he's a guy who's striking out a lot of guys right now. I believe he has 30 in his last 27 innings pitched.

He is a strikeout guy. Given this team's ability to strike out, I'm sure it could be a tough day tomorrow against Mackenzie Gore. Either way, the last time they faced him, they won a bullpen game. History is on our side. That's going to do it for me. Nick Earnshaw

produced this hour of the program. We're back next week. Obviously, we're reacting to some more Phillies baseball. But Jody Maxx got you next here on WIP. He'll take you through the rest of the night. Thanks for listening. And at least take two or three against the Nationals this weekend. And have a great Fourth of July weekend.

All that good stuff. Relax with your families and have a great time. Jody Maxx got you next here on WIP.