High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Braves Win NL East

Episode Date: September 14, 2023

Jack Fritz reacts the Phillies losing three of four to the NL East Champion Braves. 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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Reacting to the Phils, losing 3-4 to the Atlanta Braves and having to watch the Atlanta Braves celebrate on our home ballpark. And listen, I understand it's probably customary, but I don't need to see a big graphic on the scoreboard congratulating the Atlanta Braves on winning the NL East. I don't need to see it. The Ast the scoreboard congratulating the Atlanta Braves on winning the NL East. I don't need to see it. The Astros did it last year for the Phillies. Why would the Astros care about the Phillies?

Like, I just, you don't have to do it. I understand it's like, oh, you know, being good sports. I don't want to be good sports, okay? I have no interest in being good sports with that baseball team because they just kicked their ass. And I know some games are close, and they easily could have taken three or four if things went differently. But once again, little mistakes add up and the Braves just freaking capitalize every single time. Welcome on in.

I mean, that's the biggest takeaway of the game brought to you by Morgan & Morgan. And it's been a continued thing. Again, outside of the NLDS last year, that's been the story of the Phillies versus the Braves. The Phillies are

close. They're close. They're right there. They just don't make enough winning plays. And that's the difference between these two teams. Again, the Phillies won in the postseason last year. It was unbelievable. Wouldn't trade for the world. But that doesn't erase what has been

the last four years when the Phillies have really tried to start competing. They are just a machine. That is what they are. And I hate the Braves out of pure jealousy. I mean, they are a well-oiled machine. They have great young talent. They're all homegrown.

They've gotten a contract for seemingly ever. They make smart trades for Matt Olsen. They're a well-oiled machine. The reality of their situation was they had to buy their way to play catch-up with them. But we sit here again and they're NLE's champs. They're celebrating

on your home turf. With three weeks left to go in the season, that sucks. The fact that the Phillies are the one seed in the wild card and are 16 games out of the NL East, I mean, that is just massive. It's just absolutely massive. Now, hopefully, the Braves cool off. They kind of coast these last three weeks. They really can't because they have to make sure they get the one seed, whatever.

And then maybe they're a little flat heading into the postseason. I don't know. But having to sit there and watch the Braves celebrate on our field, having Ronald Acuna mocking the fans, love that. It stinks. It hurts. And I hope that I, I, I hope that they watch that tonight and use this motivation. The Phillies were not running down the Braves. That's not the point. But if you can use what you saw on the field last night or tonight as like this burning Jonathan Gannon-esque fire in your gut, good.

Like maybe it's a good thing. Because I don't know how you're a Phillies player and you see that happening and it doesn't irk you inside. And if it doesn't irk you inside, probably have the wrong guys. So I hope that they are sick in the clubhouse tonight. I hope that they watch the celebration. I hope they drive home a little mad and are ready to go take care of business out in St. Louis

because it's time to re-flip that switch. It's enough of the nonsense. I understand you're going to make the playoffs. We don't have to back into it again. We don't have to do that nonsense again where we have to rely on other teams collapsing down the stretch here so you get in.

The Phillies are in a good spot. They're three games up. The Cubs lost again tonight. The Dimebacks are down late. At worst case, they're probably, whatever, they're a game and a half up on the Cubs. It's not a total disaster. But how about we extend rather than keep sweating this thing out?

Let's stop joking around, lock in, and go earn a spot. You've earned it for a majority of the season. Don't start doing this nonsense now. Don't start doing this nonsense now. It's the second straight September it's happened here with this group. It's like the fifth straight overall. We don't have to do this. You are so much better than how you're playing right now. You lost five of your last seven at home.

Five of your last seven off of what was a magical, magical month of August. Five of seven at home. That cannot happen. That is a place that is supposed to uplift, not a place that teams are going to come into and feel comfortable playing in. Brandon Marsh talked mid-August about how we had to protect Citizens Bank Park. Well, they didn't do that.

Crowds last couple nights have been pretty disappointing. I understand kids are going back to school with a little PSA to the school system. We are in a race for the playoffs. Maybe start school a little bit later. We have a job to do as a fan base if we can get

the ballpark filled again, much appreciated. Also, just going to point this out, the vibe of the ballpark has not been the same since the Eagles' chance. That, for some reason, I have to hear in close games in the eighth. And to reiterate my point for the millionth time, if I was a player on the team, I would feel a certain way about it. Not going to let that ruin my night. But 5-7 at home is quite disappointing.

Lifeless tonight. They had Spencer Strider on the ropes early. And really, you know, some of the other big takeaways are that the offense, while it's been one of the best in baseball, and actually the best in baseball since August 1st, a lot of that is aided because Schwarber, Turner, and Harper have been out of control, just on fire. Schwarber had a bad series, but besides that,

he's been really, really good. But you're starting to see little things that were going on in the beginning of the season that were leading to the inconsistencies at the plate, which are chasing and extending the strike zone and not putting together competitive at-bats. I think about Alec Baum, Brandon Marsh, even Stotty. And Stott's not someone who usually has been doing this, had the big home run last night, but it seems like he's been extending the zone.

Obviously, Nick Cassiano, JT Real Muto. Those guys are all in a little bit of an offensive funk right now. I think Schwarber, Turner, and Harper have masked that in a way, but those guys, you're seeing more chase, more swing and miss. I feel like we've seen a lot of strikeouts. That stuff's got to get knocked off. You only play three remaining games against teams over 500. How do you lose to bad teams? You chase. So they have to re-lock back in,

reignite a spark, and get this thing turned around before it gets real tight around here. They are still in a fine position. They are three games up. It would take a lot for these opposing teams to jump

the Phillies, but they are in a position where they can just freaking end it. And that's what I need them to do. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94 is how you get in. If you're leaving the ballpark, we'd love to hear from you. If you're just at home reacting to the game, we'd love to hear from you as well.

It's a frustrating series. The tough part about September baseball is the first four months of the season, you are saying to yourself, it's a long season, they got time, and don't worry about the Bills. months of the season, you are saying to yourself, it's a long season. They got time and, and, and, and don't worry about the fills. And then it feels like the second that September hits, it's like, Oh, believe like the intensity level ratchets up. I feel it. I mean, I, I treat game one, like I treat game one 62 or, or, or, or I do post-season games. so it's a little bit different. But the angst and the anxiety I have when they're starting to do this thing where they're losing series, like that Marlins series.

They've lost 5 of 7 at home. I need that to be nipped in the bud as fast as possible so we can just take all that tension away and can can get refocused on going on another run here i know that last year it was very similar it was very similar where they backed in and then bang they got hot that's not the most fun way to go about this thing so um they have to i mean mean, obviously the ovations, the no-hitter, a lot of games at home, a lot of bad teams at home, really ignited this team in August and carried them through,

and that momentum was palpable. You have to hope they didn't peak too early, and you have to hope that they can recreate that magic. Because right now, it's a little bit concerning. 2-1-5-5-9-2, 94-94 is how you get in. That's my biggest takeaway of the game. Brought to you by Morgan & Morgan, America's largest injury firm. Dan in Harrisburg leads us off tonight.

What's happening, Dan? Jack, it's great to talk to you. Your final out shows are like therapy sessions, especially after losses. But this is so tough because all we did was ask for a split and we were denied. But as someone just like you whose mood is really based off whether or not the Phillies win, I'm starting

to kind of get beyond the this is just baseball and there will be rough patches mindset. And I think what's most frustrating to me right now is really two things number one which is something you've been talking about since august of last year even before we went on the run and that is we expect more from this team i absolutely expect more especially after they could easily be five or six games up in the wild card right now and that's a pipe dream after these

two close losses the second thing i'm struggling with is I feel like it's September. You said this. I feel like it's September last year where we're just limping along and we're all waiting for that moment where the Phillies let us down. And after all the highs these years, and there have been some pretty amazing ones, I couldn't stand that result, especially that these fans have come back, they've packed the bank, and the city came back to winning baseball just like you thought they would.

It brings tears to my eyes. Honestly, it's hard to watch. To sum it up, Jack, I hate to say this, but after losing five of the last seven and a few of them in epic fashion, I'm getting that old feeling back that I'm just awaiting major disappointment. These games are not fun right now, and I can't relax watching them. Not at all. I feel like they need to take five of the next six or seven,

and I hate that we're back at that point. So like you said, let's flip the switch and let's stop the nonsense. Please, Jack. I know we can. I know we can. I think so, too, Dan. I appreciate the call and the kind words about final out. Because, like, listen, this is my therapy session, too,

as we kind of work our way through this thing. I mean, that's where we're at. I mean,'s it's frustrating the braves are a really good team they are i mean you don't do what they've done uh in the end at least last couple years you don't win the world series you don't have you know the division wrapped up on september 13th like it's it's out of full respect for the braves it's it sucks i i don't love seeing them celebrate on our home field. I don't love the big graphic of them winning. That doesn't sit well with me. And what made it even more frustrating was, I mean,

the Phillies didn't get killed. You know, they could have came back in game one on Monday. They won game two on Monday. They could have won last night. And tonight, like, they ran to Spencer Strider. And Spencer Strider is my player of the game, brought to you by South Jersey Gas, committed to providing safe, reliable, affordable natural gas.

Make the switch at southjerseygas.com. I mean, he was brilliant. I mean, they had a chance early. They were, you know, they had him throw, what, like almost 40 pitches in the first inning. And then, bang, they just started giving away at bats. And that's what they did early in the season. And while they got into the rut that they were in, it was like they just gave it away.

You know, just chasing all over the place. Like just calm down and work the pitcher into the strike zone. Have a plan. Have an approach. And they just didn't do that tonight. And that's when they're at their worst. That's when they're not playing sound offensive baseball. I mean, that's the frustrating point.

So, you know, I don't know. They're three games up. It's frustrating that they're doing this nonsense again. It's just time to knock it off. Again, to finish out the year, they go at St. Louis. St. Louis, we know what they've been this year. Whatever. Two or three minimum.

Then you go to Atlanta. I just wonder how the Braves kind of play out the string here. I know they still have to compete for the one seed, but you get at Atlanta. And then you're home for four against the Mets and home for three against the Pirates after that before you go and finish out the season in New York. So, again, the Braves series is the last series you have against a team over.500. Figure it out. Flip the switch.

Play good baseball. Lock in. And don't make these next two weeks super stressful in the fan base. Because I don't need it right now. I don't think a lot of us need it right now. 2-1-5. 5-9-2. 94-94 is how you get it in if you're leaving the ballpark.

On the other side, the one thing that we did learn tonight that is becoming more and more clear and hopefully, hopefully, the organization is paying attention. We'll get to that and more of your phone calls coming up next. It's Jack Fritz here on The Final Out. Welcome on back. It's Jack Fritz hanging out here on The Final Out. Sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable never looks so good. to see furniture affordable never look so good. 215-592-9494 is how you get in. That's Rob Thompson this morning on The Morning Show talking about his playoff rotation.

A little bit of a leading question by Joe to camera buzz. I mean, a little leading, I'd say. But the fact of the matter is that he said that Tom Walker, as of right now, is in his postseason rotation. And I would be utterly floored if they get into a Game 4 situation. And they get out of the wild card, God forbid. And they are in a postseason series. And they legitimately think turning to

Tyler Walker at this point is a better idea than turning to Chris Sanchez. Chris Sanchez is really good tonight. You'll see the four-run runs. You'll be like, ah, was he really that good? He went seven and a third. He pitched into the eighth. There was two bleeders in the one inning that were, if they go a different way, he allows two runs.

Austin Riley hit a ball 7,000 feet. Like, that's what he does. He matches the baseball. But Christopher Sanchez, like, he struck out 10 tonight. The only other pitcher in baseball this year to strike out 10 plus braves in a game was Zach Wheeler. Like, I guess I can't understand what else we need to see here from

Christopher Sanchez to where we're like, he should start a playoff game. And if he closes out the season well, maybe he pitches a game before Ranger. We'll see how those two kind of toggle back and forth down the stretch here. But I just, this whole

dismissal and, you know, Friday night pulling Christopher Sanchez because of innings or pitch limits or third time through, and then tonight, he's going over 100 pitches and pitching into the eighth. Like, what's that? How does that add up? I was going to say, if it wasn't already the consensus opinion, I think more and more people are starting to go to your side,

especially after tonight. People are late, Buzz. Well, some people are late. I think more and more people are starting to go to your side, especially after tonight. People are late, Buzz. Some people are late, I understand. And I understand, yes, you're Mr. Leader within this fan base. Someone's got to lead around here. I'm just saying, I would prefer it be Rob Thompson because my takeaway on this is I actually don't like that he said it. And I understand

that he's usually a pretty open and honest guy, and especially in these interviews with The Morning Show, he usually gives pretty good answers. He said already that Noel is his number two, now he's usually a pretty open and honest guy, and especially in these interviews with the morning show, he usually gives pretty good answers. He said already that Nola's his number two. Now he's giving out the whole rotation, leading question or not. We know that sometimes he makes managerial decisions, not always best analytically, but because he cares about players' egos and their confidence and things like that.

In my opinion, he's now less likely to go to Taiwan Walker at the end of the season and be like, hey, I know on September 13th I named you in the playoff rotation. Now you're out. Like you could so easily just get out of it and be like, we'll worry about that in two weeks. It's anyone's job. Yeah, I agree. And he probably does it if it's after time going to Taiwan and saying,

listen, you're out. But I would just hope that we're not using – there's two things that I hope here. One, I hope we're not using the contract as a justification for it because I think that's insane. And the second thing that I hope is that we're not trying to use his faulty win stat and say, well, they score a run for him as a reason why he should start a playoff game.

I have to go into a playoff game hoping that Taiwan can allow less than five runs because the Phillies apparently score for him. That's not a good strategy. Could you imagine if they scored for Christopher Sanchez and they didn't trot out Dylan Covey instead of him? He'd have 30 wins. Yeah. If Taiwan can get 15 pitching like this.

Tom Walker, Evan, whatever, how many ever wins he has, is it's so... It just proves how irrelevant the win stat is. Of course. Of course. So, Chris Sanchez, I think he's continuing to pitch his way into a playoff rotation. I did not like Rob Thompson's answer this morning, and I hope it's something that they 100% reconsider,

because I don't know how you can use your eyeballs and tell me that Christopher Sanchez is not a better option at playoff start than Tywin Walker. I mean, Tywin Walker, every time he goes out there, it's freaking, it's a minimum of four runs right now. A minimum. And he's walking the ballpark, he's hitting guys, splitters all over the place. He doesn't have it. He doesn't have it. And maybe they're thinking, okay, Tyron Walker, you know, he has no shot at pitching well out of the bullpen, so we'll put Chris Sanchez and Michael Lorenz in there. I don't care.

Like, that's not, again, I want my guy who's taking the ball in the first inning giving me the best chance to win rather than, I don't know, trying to piggyback this thing. No shot. No shot. So, again, Christopher Sanchez, I mean, you can count pretty much on one hand. Less than one hand. Three times, I believe, this year he's gotten hit around a little bit and allowed more than like the three earned runs. I mean, come on. Enough. 215-592-9494 is how you get in. James is leaving the stadium. What's happening, James? Hey, calling in.

Yeah, great show. You know, I guess I'm in the car with my son, Nick. It was his 10th birthday. We're kind of bummed about the game. One run. We only got one run. We're swinging at first pitches. I totally agree with you that I don't,

we got to get locked in with the hits. We got to see more pitches. I think the other team's got great scouting reports against Schwarber. You know, he's getting a first pitch strike. You know, I just think the bats got to come alive a little more. What happened to Stott seeing like 11 pitches, nine pitches in an at-bat? Like, I think he's swinging too early all the time. So, one run. We got to get

some more bats going. Well, and I appreciate the call, James. I think the... I mean, again, they've been the best offense in baseball since August 1st. It was a bad night. They faced one of the best pitchers in baseball. Like, I can't tell they crushed them.

They did really well against the Braves pitching this series. I know it took until later yesterday, but still. I mean, I just – they've had one bad offensive showing in the last week and a half, I believe. So, I think the off day is much needed tomorrow. They need a little bit of a reset. They'll be in St. Louis, so it's not like there will be much going on. But, yeah, I think that off day gives them a little bit of a breather.

It was nice. I mean, they started looking for silver linings. It was nice they didn't have to started looking for, for silver linings. It was nice. They didn't have to use any of their big relievers tonight. Um, so I just, it's time. Like we, we,

we need to knock off this, this like kind of laissez faire. We'll get in. Don't freak out. Like we just, just for a week, I'm just asking for a week just turn it on get get super ahead and and don't have this place getting tight around here that's what i can't deal with because these games are killing me like the tonight was a laugher i never really believed

they were getting back in the game. Strider was unreal, whatever. The last six games before tonight were just absolutely excruciating. Again, I gave myself a headache last night. Friday night, blowing a two-run lead. Nola trying to give it away Saturday. Blowing a two-run lead a Sunday. Blowing a Harper home run on Monday, winning game two and making that tight.

Last night, big home run late, lose that. Like, that's a lot of mental anguish. And if they could just get a little bit of a lead here and not have us having to worry about that stuff, would be much appreciated. It's time. And, frankly, it's been past time. Luke is in New Hampshire, but leaving leaving the game what's happening luke hey jack thanks for taking my call big fan

of the high hopes podcast thanks brother appreciate you yeah so i'm just i was at the game last night i was at the game tonight i just talking about vibes difference between last year like it was a party dancing on my own great time i think this like, when Acuna hit that home run last night and he was doing the Fly Eagles fly and mocking everybody, I saw Harper, like, inching towards the Braves dugout like he was about to fight them all. And I'm just thinking, like – Kind of what she would have, honestly.

Like, just show a little bit of fight. Is that the way that we have to approach this the rest of the year and into the playoffs? It's a fight, man. Yeah, well, I guess here's my thing, Luke, is that the vibes weren't there at this point last year, though. You know what I mean? This time last year was like, oh, my God, they're collapsing again.

I mean, we still would have to go through a Cubs sweep. We still have to go through losing in game one to a Nationals team that was just dreadful last year at this point. So, you know, the vibes turned totally in October and the ballpark. But, I mean, the vibes this year have definitely been way different than last year at this time. How about another rant like you did after the Cubs sweep at the end of last September?

How about that? Maybe we need one of those. Yeah, a little wake-up call? Oh, yeah, that's it, man. You got it. Yeah, well, I appreciate the call, Luke, and thank you for the kind words. I just – it's just so fun.

It's the fun. I mean, last year, October and going to the World Series really masked what happened in September. It was a tense month. And I know the Eagles were unbelievable beginning of last year starting 8-0. So, like, not many people were locked in on September baseball. But it was just the worst. And, I mean, I remember just losing it when they got swept out in Chicago.

It was not a fun time around here. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94. Don't do that again. Don't make us go through that again. Just figure it out. Finish out the season. Go, I don't know, would kill for 10-6. Can I get 10-6?

I don't know. But do not need to go under 500 the rest of the way. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94. On the other side, we'll look ahead to this weekend and much more before handing things off to Tom Kelly here on Sports Radio 94 WIP. Hey, fantasy football owners. The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now.

I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception. Join me and James Coe as we take a deep dive into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster. Wide receivers. We analyze route running, target share, and all the metrics that matter, giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers. As you prep for your draft, let us give you the coverage you need. Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Yeah, that was Austin Riley off of Christopher Sanchez. Welcome on back. This is the final out sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable never looks so good. And that is our Mike's Amazing Play of the Game presented by Mike's Amazing, the official mayo, mustard, and vegetable oil. When they went down to nothing, I was like, oh, good. You know, this is my comfort spot.

I feel good when they go down early in games and go down 2-0. It's like, okay, this is when we usually come back. But it wasn't meant to be. And it just kind of, again, they had the right plan. They had the right approach. Again, Spencer Strider, it was set up very well. I mean, almost 40 pitches in the first. Then they just gave up on it and just started flailing and chasing

and not being rooted in their approach to the plate. And it came back and backfired. Tons of strikeouts tonight. And it feels like the strikeouts are starting to mount again when, you know, for a good stretch there, they weren't. And they were doing their job. And you saw the offense look much more consistent. Right now what you're seeing from the offense is like, yeah,

they're scoring runs. And they've been, again, a really, really good offense in August, or since August 1st. But it's a lot of the guys at the top doing most of that damage. It's like, yeah, they're scoring runs, and they've been, again, a really, really good offense in August, or since August 1st. But it's a lot of the guys at the top doing most of that damage. So maybe the elixir is a trip out of St. Louis. I mean, this Cardinals team is just pretty bad. I mean, they're 65-81. Offense still can strike a little bit of fear in you, for sure.

I mean, they still have some dudes, but that pitching staff is just not very good. They faced Zach Thompson on Friday. It's been decent. His ERA is in the 3-7's, I believe, in his last 7 starts. Not terrible. It's no longer in the mound than

a game that you really need, which doesn't make me feel the most easy easy for sure. And by the way, we'll be having a High Hopes watch party on Friday night at Liberty Grounds in Fairmount. So we're having our first event in Philly, which is very, very exciting.

Liberty Grounds is an awesome, awesome spot up in the Fairmount area, like right across the street from St. Joe's Prep. A bunch of Pan-Asian food, Miller Lights on tap, of course, but also 30 rotating taps of craft beers that are all hyperlocal. I don't think they go 15 to 20. I think they have a 30 mile radius. They try to keep the beer local, but obviously Miller Light is there as well.

There'll be a mini golf tournament happening early, and then we'll watch the game and hang out with everyone. So if you're looking for something to do on Friday night, come on out to Liberty Grounds. Seltzer and I will be hanging out. I'm sure Buzz is coming, right? I mean, Buzz, you'll be there. It's a big night for the station, and your good friend Jack Fritz,

so you're bringing all your friends, right? Oh, of course, yeah. I'm going to get the whole group chat out. I've been known to play some really competitive mini-golf. I could see that. You seem like a mini-golfer. I'm a huge mini-golf guy. Yeah, because, again, you seem like a big not-real-sport guy,

but you nail the carnival games. Oh, I'm a huge carnival guy. I have never lost a game of pop-a-shot in my life. I'm running with that story. Would you beat the camera? I would be willing to challenge the camera. I feel confident. All right. Well, I look forward to seeing it.

I might be more similar to the camera than I'm willing to admit. That's not necessarily good. I don't know if that's a good thing. I don't know. He could be good at mini golf. I could see it. Yeah. I play real golf.

He flips flops in the boardwalk or something like that. He's definitely a flip flops, board, like dad type of mini golf guy. Yeah, he is. I mean, that's what he wears to work every day now. He makes sure his feet are showing, which is great. I really appreciate that. But either way, Friday night, we'll be hanging out all night at Liberty Ground, so hopefully everyone can make it out.

So, Nola versus Zach Thompson on Friday again. Aaron, don't think about it. Just please. You shoved last time against the Cardinals. Don't do it again. Or don't do what you've done the last couple of starts. It's a big start. Please just end this little slide the Phillies have been on.

Ranger on the mound on Saturday versus Myles Michaelis. Again, Michaelis is just... His ERA is almost five this year. Like, come on. Dakota Hudson's terrible, again. So it's Tyler Walker versus Dakota Hudson on Sunday. Like, the Phillies have the pitching matchup advantage in every single start.

Go out there and win. It's enough of the nonsense. Brian is in Churchville. What's happening, Brian? Jack, what's happening, man? Well, it's not great. It's just, it's happening, man? Well, it's not great. It's just, it's not like having to be humbled by the Braves over and over and over again. It's just, it's a miserable existence.

Yeah, no, that is so true. And you've laid it out extremely well this evening and last evening. Yeah, I mean, look, let's start. They're a tremendous team. Yes. We know that. But, yeah, the manager, my goodness. Christopher Sanchez should be in a playoff rotation as far as I'm concerned.

Like, he's earned it. Period. End of story. I mean, I don't... We can't be this whole, like, you guys gotta go out and earn playoff spots and playoff rotation, you know, kind of situations,

and then not hand to the guy who, if you really want to make the argument, and you can with, obviously, stats and whatever, he's been their second best starter. I mean, he's been their second best starter. I mean, he's been their second best starter this year, Chris Sanchez. And I know you're not going to put him over Nola. You're not going to probably put him over Ranger. In no world should Tylan Walker take the ball before him in a playoff start.

No, no, I totally agree. And, you know, I probably and maybe I'm nuts, you know, and I love Aaron. He's been a great Philly. But I would probably put him over him as well. But, you know, I get that thought process. You can't do that. But Tywon Walker, seriously?

Like, this guy's got no run support at all this year. He's, for the most part, been tremendous. Dude, if he had Tywon Walker's run support, he might not have lost a game this year. I mean, it's as simple as that. I mean, Tom Walker is... Hold on. What is his ERA on the year?

His ERA is 4.3. I would say in the second half, it's been well above that. It's been mostly uncompetitive except the offense just bails him out and he pitches into the, what, fifth, sixth, and he's credited with the win. It's a joke. Right.

It really is. Even tonight, look, they lost 4-1. The offense didn't show up. You can't expect them to score eight every night. Sanchez was excellent tonight, for the most part. What are they thinking? I just don't get it. I don't get it at all.

Yeah, I don't either. And I appreciate the call as always, Brian. Tom Walker in his last six starts is a 5.73 ERA. Opponents are hitting and have an 815 OPS against them. 368 OBP. It can't happen. He cannot touch the ball in a playoff series right happen. He cannot touch the ball in a playoff series right now.

Cannot touch the ball. Tommy in Pottstown. What's happening, Tommy? Hey, how you doing, Jack? Doing well, man. How are you? I'm doing okay. Well, actually, no, I'm not doing okay. Nah, we... I lied. I lied. I'm not really doing that well. I'm trying to put on a brave face.

Well, first off, I want to say I'm a huge fan of the final out and also the High Hopes podcast. Thank you, buddy. I love watching it. Appreciate it. I have to say, though, this was probably the most agonizing series I've watched probably all season. And it's so sad because we can beat Atlanta.

We can split them in Atlanta early in May. Yeah. But the problem is, like, offensive offensively we did pretty well besides tonight, the pitching. Oh, it was brutal. Like Zach Wheeler was just, he could have done so much better. And Christopher Sanchez, it just sucks. Like such a running theme for this season that we, he does really well pretty decently, but the offense doesn't show up. And I hope that with the celebrations that happened on the field with the Braves,

it's like the fire in their butt. And honestly, I feel like for a strategy, sweep the Cardinals. Grab them by the throat. And hopefully in Atlanta, maybe take two or three. Like I said, we can beat them. And other two thoughts I have is that not on tonight's game, but last night's game, I'm sure you know about Topper's – I'm trying to think of my words here –

his comments about Acuna's home run celebration where he does like the flappy bird or whatever. And he says like, oh, it's just whatever. Basically, our guys basically can just – I forget exactly how he said it, but people were mad about his comments. Yeah, I mean, I think – and when you read a comment on Twitter, everyone I feel like always reads in such a harsh connotation.

If you listen to it, if you listen to the conversation with Joe and John this morning, it was more like, hey, this is the game. I love the game. I'm more old school. I'm more of the camp of act like you've been there before, but I totally understand it, and we got to get them out. It's pretty much what he said. And to take out that quote and have it like try to get –

I just – I didn't appreciate it. Take it out of context. Yeah. Well, it wasn't out of context. It was just like – it wasn't angry. I think if you read that quote, you're like, oh, he's angry out of context. It was just like, it wasn't, he wasn't angry. Like, I think if you read that quote, you're like,

oh, he's angry at Acuna. He was just like, yeah, I'm more in the camp of, you know, act like you've been there before. You know? And one more thing

I want to say is like, my two cents on Acuna, I think he's an absolute talent. Like, it's kind of warranted. Like, if I were him, I would do no celebrations

all the time, like slapping the bird and having fun with my teammates. But something just rubs me the wrong way about him like in the all-star break in the all-star parade he has like a um a little necklace of himself like that kind of rubs me the wrong way and also like mocking the fans while celebrating it's like come on like have some respect for your opponent have some respect for yourself and that's just my two cents on that i don't know about you yeah i got you tomm some respect for yourself. And that's just my two cents on that. I don't know about you.

Yeah, I got you, Tommy. I mean, he's just so good. He's just so good. And it's how he's always played. So what am I going to do about it? I think if he was a Philly, he would be beloved here. But he's not. He's a brave.

So everything he does kind of bothers us. Um, and that's just the nature of being a sports fan. But yeah, you know, I thought the quote this morning was just, it wasn't the nature of the conversation. It wasn't, he wasn't angry. He was just saying like, yeah, you know, but not how I like totally go about things, but you know, kind of, uh, you know, it was, it was not meant in a mean way. So whatever. That's what happens with Twitter is that everything just gets taken and turned into everyone's mad about something all the time.

But either way, the Braves clinch on the Phil's field, which stinks. I do hope that they use it as motivation. I hope that they have a little bit of, again, the Jonathan Gannon fire in their gut. And, you know, maybe take the bus home, like Jonathan Gannon was asking for. But, yeah, I just hope they use it as motivation. I hope that's not something that sat well with them.

And you have the off day tomorrow. Then just go pick it up and go beat a bad St. Louis team in St. Louis and take care of business. Take care of business. You got some bad pitchers in the mound this weekend. You have the pitching advantage in every single game, even the Taiwan Walker game. Go out there, do your job, extend this lead, and let's go.

215-592-9494 is how you get in and talk to Tom Kelly for the rest of the night. Buzz produced the, Buzz Dan Wilson produced the final out tonight. Again, I will not be on leading off Friday because I'll be at Liberty and if you are in the area, we'd love to see you. Come watch some Phil's baseball

and hopefully it's a good win out in St. Louis. That's going to do it for me here on the final out. Thanks to everyone that tuned in and hung out and called in. I appreciate that. As always, Tom Kelly will take you through the rest of the night here on WIP.