High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Casty Comeback

Episode Date: August 30, 2024

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies' 5-4 comeback win over the Braves on Thursday night. 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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Learn more at rbc.com slash support youth. This episode is brought to you by Mazda. When you drive a Mazda, you'll find out why RSUV's won more 2024 IIHS Top Safety Picks than any other brand as of June 2024. Find out what makes Mazda different at Mazda.ca. is back at the track at the wall it's gone into the hedges and Castellanos has turned the game around with a two-run home run here in the bottom of the seventh inning it is his 19th of the season five to four Phillies. How about those fills welcome on it is the final out sponsored by Regency furniture affordable never looks so good Jackfritz hanging out with you on this Thursday night as we react to a game where I think a lot of us

We're taking true serum The group questioning I think we're like, I don't know, you know, and it was it was disappointing Obviously what happened yesterday adding into the tonight and then bang the Phil's come alive and get a much needed a much needed win in what is the biggest series of The year the game wrap-up sponsored by Blaser Swiss Lubin Kravitz the metal working fluid specialist providing professional CNC machine cleaning coolant maintenance programs and waste coolant disposal

crevice dot online two one five five nine two Ninety four ninety four to get in if you're on your way home and would love to react to that one We'd love to hear from you the the bank per usual Seemed like it was electric tonight and it was quiet for a little bit there I think people were tense like listen this was a a tense series like this is a series where listen I think we are very confident in this baseball team I think that in the last two months there's been wavering in that confidence and I think that's fair I think if listen if you're

one of those people that can just say, I don't care, there are 20 some games over 500 and in October, we'll see what happens, good for you. But I think there's a lot of people that live and die and react hard to this team and I'm one of those people. And this last couple months has been really, you know, kind of strenuous and the Royals

Series was great. The Astros series was great. That's the hottest team in the AEL They went there or they came here and they the Phillies took care of business, but like all of that Would have been moot if they didn't come out and do a job Against the Braves because ultimately it just matters more No one cares about beating the Royals and even though the Astros beat the Phillies in the World Series two years ago No one really cares about beating the Astros. You gotta beat this team This is a team that has had your number in the regular season. I tweeted this before the game and

or you know at the beginning of the game and I said like I have so little confidence in this team beating the Braves in the regular season and then when the posting starts I have full confidence. They're gonna beat them, but when the division lead gets down to five and You start worrying like all right if they lose three or four, if God forbid they get swept, even a split, it's like you keep them alive. And what I wanted the Phillies to do, and through the first six innings of tonight they were not doing, is I wanted them to go out,

have a backbone, step on a throat, and let the Braves know that they're not gonna come back and win this division. Like, this is your division. Because at this point, if you don't win the division, I just think the vibes and the feeling around the team are so down heading into the postseason, versus like, ah, well we've been the wild card before,

like we can just get in and go on a run again. You would need a run, I think, to pull the city out of what blowing this division lead would mean. So it's just so critical, get that first series win, and really step on a brave's throat that I think believes they're in this thing. I think that they're starting to use the,

you know, the baseball gods are against us, we're a bunch of cast-offs, all trying to come together and win the ultimate prize Fills cannot let them off the hook. That's not listen. I know the Riano's hitting over 300 with them. I know Frickin Whitmery feel has been pretty good for the brace, but that's just not that scary of a team I mean Olson did his thing tonight and and Ozuna is obviously terrifying Everyone else I mean, come on. So the the Phillies should Really take care of business this week But they got off on the right foot tonight and thank God because it was it was a little dicey

There for a little bit. Let's get to the biggest takeaways of the game brought to you by Morgan and Morgan America's largest injury law firm and my biggest takeaways kind kind of what I talked about like they needed that win tonight You know, they're on the ropes. They're coming off a game yesterday We were getting no hit through a majority of it eight innings against a rookie Taiwan's on the mound every time Taiwan's in the mound the vibes are down I don't think the guys are walking in the clubhouse thinking like it's Carlton in 72 where they're saying it's win day. I don't think that's the feeling around the team when good old 99 takes the hill.

So having back to back disappointing offensive performances where you don't score a run would have just been like, oh, we're back to square one. And we didn't need this team back to square one because they've made some progress. They won the Astros series. They won the Royals series. They had won eight at 12, I believe, before the Taiwan start.

So they were doing the right things. And if they went down with a whimper tonight, I think it would have brought them right back to, oh no, are we not as good as we thought? As an athlete, as a guy on a team, sometimes you just need to trick yourself into believing that you're going to be fine and you're going to be okay and it's not as bad as it is. So it was so big for them to get that win and maybe get some wind at your sails. Again, beating the Roy your sails again beating the

rules important beating the Astros important but this is the Braves this is a team that is own you in the regular season heading into tonight last 39 games 24 and 15 they've had your number and I needed the Phil's that have backbone tonight and they had it they had that and hopefully it translates over into the rest of the series my second biggest takeaway of the game tonight is the the the comeback trail of Nick Castellanos on May 3rd May 3rd he was hitting 180 180 dreadful and since then he's just scratched and clawed and This is the best he's looked as a filly for an extended period time

I know he made the all-star team last year, but this feels different. You're getting bigger hits You're getting more momentum it's and this is the guy that I thought that they were signing a couple years ago That gets the back breaking hit because that's what it felt like every time I watched Castellanos that he would be the one that would get that like, oh man, like, let's say there's a runner on second base, one out, he's up and you get, you get a big second out, but it's Castellanos. I always felt like he was gonna come through maybe he just killed the fills like that's Definitely a real possibility of him just having this team's number, but you're starting to see more and more of Him getting these kind of hits for the Phillies and he's been so massive When you have the top of the lineup which we'll get to in a little bit not being as great when you have the bottom like they needed someone in the middle of the lineup, which we'll get to in a little bit, not being as great. When you have the bottom, like they needed someone in the middle of that to stabilize them. And

Cassiano has really done that. So it's been, it's been big. He's one of the leaders on this team. Like when he's going through it, he's a frustrating watch, but he's an important Philly. You know, I, I talk about Schwab or a lot. I think Schwab is the most important Philly. I think Bryce Schwab or a lot. I think Schwab is the most important Philly I think Bryce the best Philly. I think Schwab is the most important Philly like Cassianos is in that group, too You know Dombrowski gets a lot of credit for Schwab er, but I think he deserves credit from casting on from the standpoint of like he's a pro guys in that locker room respect them and Even when he's struggling, I think people still gravitate towards his back of the baseball card

So Nick Casiano's the redemption arc of him has been really awesome to see and Marsh as well He was my player at the game before the game. He smoked some baseballs when he is thinking left-center when he is Driving the baseball the opposite way best version of Brandon Marsh and you're seeing more of that recently last seven games I think he's hitting over 300 hopefully coming out of this thing so Martian Cassiano is obviously huge Knights But once again Castellanos with a big big home run and continues to get big hits for this baseball team and two and five Five nights to ninety four ninety four. We'll get to the phones here in one second

But last big takeaway of the game and they are my player the game sponsored by the South Jersey gas conserve Helping customers and the community sir save energy and money visit South Jersey gas comm slash conserve and this bullpen is continuing to round into form and the biggest name to to I Guess hone in the turn around this bullpen is Orion Kirkering I mean Orion Kirkering two weeks ago. I was worried about fastball. He looked like he lost confidence in it He was walking players. You looked him on the mound and he looked like he was scared of moments and

the guy that we've seen last week and Is close to the guy that we saw in London and right before that the the the real Orion Kirkering Hopefully, but this Kirkering development is is incredibly exciting and important at the same time They need another high leverage righty arm Hoffman can't pitch every night Estevez can't pitch every night We'll get some thoughts in the back end of the bullpen here in a second, you know, Jose Ruiz developing but they like part of the the

Deadline bets by Dombrowski was Kirkering developing into a real high leverage guy and the last Week week and a half. He's looked like it fastball back up to 98 99. He's confident with it He's spot in the outside corner. It's making a sweeper that much better It looks like a frickin with a ball like that's the Orion Kirkering this team Absolutely needs Matt strom's been Back to being the match drawn. We saw for majority of the season He had a little blip there around the jazz Chisholm home run But he's been really good and and it was not lost on me that Jeff off McGlose that game tonight and and Rob

Thompson has been aggressive They were aggressive and how they set up the starting staff for this game and they're aggressive with how they manage I don't buy for a second what he said post game talking about yeah Hoffman was hot I decided to go with them. Jeff Hoffman is your best option to close out baseball games I I know you trade for Carlos Estevez. I know you did but Jeff Hoffman is so Much better and if there's an opportunity for him to close that up ballgame I do not care what you trade for Carlos Estevez That's your best option and and I'm glad that Rob Thompson recognized it and is not pigeonholing

Carlos Estevez into that spot. So Bullpen absolutely lights out big win for the Phils tonight. Let's kick it off with Mike in Westchester. What's happening, Mike? Fritz, that was the best win of the year thus far. And yes, because of the standings, yes, because the Braves have won the division however many years in a row,

and you want to close the door on them. But most importantly, for that run we had about a month ago where it felt like all was lost it really felt like especially at home the magic was gone a little bit and then Brandon Marsh hits that home run tonight and you can just feel the crowd like the crowd knew they were going to come back and win that game tonight like the stadium just has this aura about it and September and October recently where you know they're gonna come back and someone's gonna get a big hit and then

to your point Nick Costellanos goes through these stretches where he looks like the worst hitter in baseball and he's the only one who still believes in Nick Costellanos and he just keeps pulling himself out of it and becoming an amazing hitter again and he just keeps doing it time and time again. And it is so impressive and it was just such an awesome win. Yeah, well, make sure you dump that. But appreciate the phone call, Mike. Yeah, it was a huge win.

And it was a win that this team really, really needed. This is a team that, again, I mean, we know the story of the season. Unbelievable start. And they've been mediocre for about two months now and it's fine if you if you Tone it down a little better you go into cruise control But you have to pull yourself out of it because going into October playing at your at your worst. I Just think it's hard to flip the switch like you need to start doing the little things better and For the most part listen I'll leave tomorrow tomorrow, yesterday alone, it was a scheduled loss, but for the

most part, in the last, really since they brought the curveball machine out against the Royals, they've been doing the little things better. Now, there was some, I mean, I don't know what they're trying to do late. I actually didn't hate the Bryce bunt. I didn't think that He really saw Aaron Bummer really well If there's one pitcher that Bryce like really struggles against is a is a lefty that drops down a little bit So like he's trying to do a job there, you know, I know that everyone thinks that he if he doesn't bunt there He's gonna hit a home run. I don't think that's really the case. But like I just, the bunt there was,

I was mostly fine with. It's the play late where Marsh tries to go to third base. It's like, come on, let's not run ourselves out of a run here. Let's play a little bit composed, you know, aside from that. For play a little bit composed, you know, aside from that, for most for the last little bit here, they've been putting together better at bats, they've been getting big hits, it looks like the belief and hopefully tonight was kind of one of those

wind at your sail. Care that momentum over tomorrow and really believe you're back and stop heading into the ballpark like hoping you're gonna win and and start walking to the ballpark Knowing you're gonna win. That's what I hope that this series that's what I hope that this win can do tonight two one five five nine two Ninety four ninety four to get in it's the final out if you're in traffic We'd love to hear from you. We'll keep talking obviously win on this other side Take your phone calls But we'll also get to the injury report with it with a big one tonight to keep your eye on and some some thoughts on a

Shocking stat about the key part of the lineup all that's coming up next on the final out on sports radio 94 WIP All-star closer Ken Lee Jansen. We have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? This boy 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.

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This Thursday night reacting to what could have been Phil's comeback win of the season They have like many comebacks been very good this year or like, you know, even like early in the season, it wasn't like they were coming back from a lot of runs down like early in the season, it felt like they would go down by two and it's like, yeah, but they'll come back and win. And then there was that period in the middle of the season where they go down by one and I'd say, well, there's no shot.

There's absolutely no shot. They're coming back to win this game. And that's, that's, you know, the resolve we saw tonight, the resiliency that they talk about. Like, okay, they're starting to show that more here. They're gonna show that a little bit more. They didn't have any resiliency yesterday. There was no such thing as that yesterday. I think they walked into the ballpark feeling like a loss.

But tonight, definitely. Like, that's what the city wants to see. Like, rolling over again. Listen, March at the home run, huge. That's a three run shot. Like that's that's what the city wants to see like rolling over again. Listen Marsha the homerun huge. It's a three run shot puts your right back in the ballgame You know, you should be able to score one run and a couple of things off the off the Braves bullpen But had he not hit that homerun and they go down in a feeble way against the Braves again just after last week when you go down there and I

mean you have more runs in one game of the Royals series you have the entire series against the against the the Braves in Atlanta and again a marquee series where you set your rotation up just like you that just like you did this series like it would have the city would be right back to where they were after Friday night against the Royals saying this one's over like they had a great start to the season, but they ran out of gas or they or they they started too hot and Being able to come back and win a game like that It just starts getting people to to ease a little. Because that's what they, listen, I take your calls all day, I have people in my mentions.

People are on edge all the time about this team. I don't know, obviously it's not the majority of fans. I think that's obviously the vocal minority. But there's enough people that are freaking out that they could ruin what has been a special season to where they're emotional about it. So coming back and winning that game tonight, not rolling over, not dying and showing that fight

and that you're sick and tired of the Braves owning you in the regular season is just massive. So big, big stuff, bullpen, fantastic. Kirk Ringstrom, Hoffman, making the knife easy as he usually does Fantastic stuff let's do the injury report It's a shocking stat about a key portion of the Phillies offense in one second, but Dave's in Lexington. What's happening Dave? Jack feeling great about tonight's win big one big one Dave The fact that Kathy on us again in, delivers the HR, I mean it's such a great feeling to watch that guy hit a dinger.

It is and I gotta be honest, I thought it was a pop-up. I thought it was a pop-up. And it wasn't a Marty Brennan into left field, another Cassiano. No, it was not that. He launched it, man. He really did. No, I mean, this was, like you said, this was a postseason game feel. And it sets the tone for the series. And I'm excited. I mean, i'm pumped about this theory that now and i think

i think we're gonna we're gonna figure it out i think we're gonna get a level out and make our way into the playoffs and we're gonna be alright i'm ready for October well i am i am too david and I appreciate the phone call and tonight felt like a nice little preview a nice little preview into into what red October might offer and yeah like Ultimately, I don't think they're gonna miss the playoffs. I'm definitely a little bit worried about the division but at the same time like I

just even when they were in their, in the, in the pits, and even when I was in the pits, like I was definitely down last Friday before the Royal Series, like I just, I don't see it from this team. There's always a part of me that's like, they're not this though. Like there's, there's, there's more to this team than just, I trust the guys too much to just roll over and let the season kind of play out the way that it was. And like the Royal Series, good. Astro Series, very good.

I think people used the last game a little too much against them. And then getting a win like tonight, like that's how you get people back really believe you again because I think right now People are a bit in wait and see they're saying I well Let's see what we look like in almost in October like wake me up on October start It's hard to do that when you have a massive series like you have right now, but like I get it I just hope that they can round in a form here a little bit I don't need you streaking into October like we saw in 22. It didn't matter like they're playing horrible down the stretch They collapsed all over again. They just got lucky because the Brewers collapsed worse

Like it isn't like I think that's a bit overrated But I also don't think you can go and play three straight months of mediocre baseball and then expect to be fine just because October it's like I don't believe that either so it's a mixture of both and Getting one like that tonight. I think can kind of carry you for a little bit now The injury report is sponsored by the Plumbers Union local 690 protecting the health of the nation visit plumbers 690 protecting the health of the nation visit plumbers 690 org and it's a big one because it's out bone and now bone obviously all-star starting third baseman pretty good over there and They said the x-rays were negative kind of looked like a handmade bone situation when we saw it happen earlier tonight

But he was taking out the game that Mudo Sosa came in made some good plays late needed it But Alec bone definitely one to monitor from the standpoint of like is he gonna miss time here? He's gonna miss any games in this series. Is he gonna have to I L it they said x-rays were negative. That's important Well, I guess we'll see how tomorrow goes because I feel like we've just done so many times where it's like guys fine You know, he's gonna ice it and be back tomorrow then bang. He's on the the I L for six weeks So I'll proceed with caution But it's definitely one to monitor Alec Bohm injured tonight Exited the game early. I Don't know I'm gonna deal with worrying about call-ups right now

Let's just hope that Alec Bohm is fine And it was just a little bit of a scare and he's all good and is in the lineup tomorrow Mackenzie's in reading what's happening Mackenzie? Mackenzie not in Redding, what's happening Mackenzie? Mackenzie not ready to go. Richie in Philly, what's happening Richie? Jack this is Richard, you remember the baseball aficionado in my 70s? I don't talk baseball to many people, people call me a baseball snob, there's only three people in your station. It's Jody Mack, you you know, you're you know, you're baseball Thank you, buddy. I really appreciate that you really you really do. I mean that a couple things

I want to throw it. Don't worry about bone by the way, you know why he came back remember for the enemy It was that's it's just I think he just played cautious. There's Cautious. Yeah, I agree with you believe that I agree with you I want your feedback one. So I know he was I respect you as a baseball person I say why do you think people I told baseball with I was shocked? Jack I wasn't about I was shocked when snicker let Which you call Morton staying against well against you know, I guess more ship, you know, he was at 101 to 101 pitches He's right. I'm thinking

I saw they're gonna pinch it for Marsh, but stuff to look were you surprised. I mean, how did you feel? Yeah, so Snickers older school he said earlier tonight that He wanted bomber for for Schwab er like that was his whole idea there. He didn't really want him for Marsh I think if I went to the mind of Brian Snicker Brandon Brandon Marsh has been struggling against righties and lefties for a little bit now and I think he's actually more worried about Hayes behind him if he went that way and Hayes obviously has been smoking lefties. So I actually think that was more about Hayes than it was about Marsh but it's definitely something that really really backfired. Yeah the other thing and, and you mentioned this, but I agree with you too,

is I love Hoppy. He throws strikes. He's got these bumps coming up like Williams and I hate when these pitchers walk these 190 hitters. There's too many pitchers today that get a little bit too cute. Sometimes they'll throw 3-2 curve balls with no one on it's like I don't need a shrine here against a 190 Yeah, just throw it. It's hard to get a hit. You know that yeah, it's hard to get a hit I mean sometimes you hit the ball on the screws right line it Did you see the right right to the center field right to the third baseman? So I mean just don't go in too cute with these guys

I may pitch a lot of these guys like the second coming of Tony Gwynn, you know You know, so that's that but it was a great win tonight and you know, I got this I agree with you I agree on the thing about them, you know our reliever hot clothes He's the guy that I like comes in he throws strikes if you're going to beat him You're gonna hit him, right? I totally agree Richie Appreciate the phone call my friend. Yeah, I mean often this piece this team's best reliever I appreciate this demonstrate but like if you have a chance to get Hoffman up in the ninth and it's worked out that way like you don't need a pigeon Hole Carlos Estevez into that spot. That is a that is a Jeff Hoffman

Like I want that in the playoffs. He's their best reliever. He strikes guys. I throw strikes like I don't know what else you want now Once that that that fransky brought up on on the brass broadcast tonight, I think it's really interesting now in August Schwab has six home runs now three of them happened in one game And he hasn't had one since the the Grand Slam again. We'll give him a bit of a pass We need that Grand Slam. It was a big moment and and the boys were struggling but six home runs in August good. That's fine Turner Harper boom combined in August five home runs Harper hasn't had one since August 9th. That is not sustainable Like it's just a lot of the team rounding into form right now. I thought Chris Sanchez is really good tonight

All since hit swing the bat really well right now Turner made thought Chris, Chris Sanchez is really good tonight. All since hit, uh, swing the bat really well right now. Turner made a brutal error to start that inning. Like it just, it is what it is with Turner at shortstop. I mean, you have a heart attack every time the balls hit his way. Although oddly in Atlanta seems to make ridiculous plays. He turns into a different shortstop down there, but like, every time the balls hit to him, I have almost, I, I,

it's a little bit of a deep breath when the balls hit his way but like offensively or I mean like just on the point of the overall team like the starting step I think you feel pretty good about. Nola has looked phenomenal. Wheeler's look phenomenal. Ranger tomorrow is a second start. First one was a good return and then Chris Sanchez, again, if I was good tonight. Bullpen feels like it's rounding into form a little bit. The Jose Alvarado situation, we'll see. It hasn't hurt them yet, but I think he was an important arm that they needed. They feel an arm short if he's not at least there. I mean, I don't know what to expect from Alvarado when he gets back But and he was really struggling before that. So, you know, I

Wish they got more the deadline, but man, I just they feel an arm short in the bullpen when Alvarado is not there obviously but They a lot of the arms are rounding back into where they were when they were at their best the lineup I think is still a thing that a lot of people arms are rounding back into where they were when they were at their best. The lineup I think is still a thing that a lot of people have question marks about. And I just don't think having your two, three, four hitters have five home runs in a month. Like it's not October, it's August, I get it,

but you need some kind of pop. You need someone in the middle of the lineup that can drive the baseball out of the yard. Like I just don't think that kind of offense is sustainable. I am very pro not trying to hit home runs all the time. I think that's when they're at their worst and gap to gap's good. But mixing in some dingers is also important as well because again, it can bring you right back into a ball game with one swing of the bat like it did tonight twice and obviously helped the Phil's win a game

But I thought that was really I mean, I think we felt it if you watch every game You've you felt the power outage But I just don't think that's very sustainable as we head down the stretch run here Two one five five nine two ninety four ninety four if you're leaving the game again We'd love to hear from you on the other side We'll get to the play of the game a look ahead to tomorrow and some thoughts on a move The Phil's made earlier today all that coming up next on the final out on sports radio 94 WI pay One oh and a swing and a high fly ball left center field up the alley Harris going back to the track looking up

It's gone And he's done it again Brandon Marsh With a three run home run to the opposite field and it's a ball game again as the Phillies are down a run it's four to three welcome back it is the final out sports radio 94 WIP Jack Fritz hanging out with you the final is always sponsored by Regency furniture affordable never looked so good Phil's win tonight big bounce back win and one that they they really needed and Shout out to marshy obviously that's the play of the game sponsored by Mike's amazing the official name mustard up the Phillies and

You know Cassie had us put over the top But they're not in that situation and Brandon March hasn't hit that home run speaking that like again I thought that was a pop-up and I think I was one might have been a pop-up But obviously they were not and again Marsha and swing a better bat Cassiano's obviously been really good. Even though they're not hitting home runs top of line. It's been alright line up again I don't I think of all the the facets of the team. I think it's the one that people trust the least But there's obviously enough talent there We talked about this earlier on high hopes by the way

If you ever want to listen to me and seltzer's geek out about baseball all the time check out the high hopes podcast available wherever you get your podcasts But like you look at it top to bottom and it's a really deep lineup and you look at these other Teams in the NL like the the real holes they have like the Phillies should have The deepest lineup in the NL and it just never feels that way Maybe that's because we're so hyper focused on on this Phillies team that we don't feel it but like they should be a consistent offense with guys that that can like they should be a consistent offense with guys that that can

You know drive the ball the other way that it can be gap to gap that can hit the ball the ballpark like on paper It's a versatile offense and I just they've been so inconsistent It's so hard to like fully buy in and say no they're here and they've arrived But also it might just be the nature of the sport where I don't know any of these fan bases trust their their lineups I mean the Yankees have Aaron judge and Soto and they they've been mediocre for as long as the Phillies have if not longer So, you know, it's just it might just be the nature of the sport in in 2024 the The news obviously earlier today that was that was big was time and Walker officially moving to the bullpen. And like obviously I think a lot of people

wanted them outright DFA'd. I mean, you know, this is a loyal organization. And I think that they view Time on Walker as a good dude. I don't think that they wanna eat that money. I think they know how valuable starters are that can eat innings. Like I think if, I think Ty one's going to be here next year.

I think they're going to bring him into camp. I think they're going to see how his velocity looks. And listen, if his velocity is not there and, you know he's getting ripped in spring training. I don't think he's going to be in the rotation. But I think they, I think with pitching in the year 2024, it's such a valuable commodity to have someone that can take down innings to where I don't think

they wanna just outright cut him with two years and $39 million left. I think they want to obviously not start him again, bury him in the bullpen and see if he can work on stuff and maybe the velocity takes back up but I Think he's gonna be here in spring training if it looks like he did this year I don't think he's gonna be back or I don't think he's gonna make the team out of out of out of spring training But I think he's gonna at least be back the the nice part about next year is obviously you have your four starters locked in

The the nice part about next year is obviously you have your four starters locked in You have Sanchez Ranger Wheeler Nola The big wild card here that not a lot of people talk about is Andrew Painer. Andrew Painer is supposed to be in the rotation last year at 20. He's coming off Tommy John working his way back, but I think When camp breaks next year, that's Painer's job that that or at least when they get into camp as painters job to lose so Taiwan might be Sol regardless, but like I Don't hate it Like I don't think they had to DFA um, if you're gonna just bury him in the bullpen and you're losing six nothing You need to fill some innings. Whatever. I mean you're losing that game. Anyway, he at least he's not putting you in a deficit early he's not giving you six it's he's not allowing

six runs in the first two innings and and making you feel hopeless heading into the ballpark the big question is who they bring up you know I mean Colby Aller did a good job against the Royals last weekend but he can't come up until September 10th a lot of speculation to me Tyler Phillips again the the local kid He might come back up and start Tuesday Seth Johnson is someone that I've brought up But he seems like he's approaching an innings limit. They claimed a guy off waivers from the Marlins Kyle Tyler Maybe he comes up. He started some games in the big leagues this year. Maybe they believe in him for my money I would start Seth Johnson, but he's coming off of Tommy John surgery last year

So I think they're managing his workload but still like Taiwan being buried in the bullpen and not DFA and Bring him back for spring training next year because he's a good clubhouse guy that that a lot of people like and respect It's not the worst thing in the world I didn't need I didn't need to freak out of get him out of here. Get him out of here. Get him out of here Buried the bullpenpen I'm fine with it He's not gonna pitch important innings anymore for this team and really ultimately that's all that I care about Let's go to Matthew and spring city. What's happening that?

Hey, how you doing? What do you got? No, no. Hey Matt. What's going on man? Okay, so yeah, I wanna I'm not gonna, I'm not going to talk about last night. I was trying to call in and I was going to call in and give a run and then I was calling the wrong number for about a good half hour or so. Nice, nice. I just want to discuss my relationship with Nick Castellanos. I've always been, no, I've always, he obviously he wasn't, he's been, you know, it's been

very complicated and it's been a talk for me and my brother who's always sending me texts like you've got to apologize for complaining about Nick Castellanos, complaining about Nick Castellanos and he's embracing him so much and I'm still not fully, I don't want to say I'm fully bought in. I want to, no matter what he, my feelings for Nicancianas is that even though he's still doing, he's doing now what he's doing, I still don't believe he's worth the money he's making. And I, you know, I think, I debate whether you should bring him back or you should, if you want to keep him great, but I can't be making the money he's making now.

Because it's, I, if we, I don't, I don't believe we're going to get this all the time. I fear the inconsistency more than anything. Yeah, it's definitely there. So I mean, I think it's two-fold, right? Because they've gone on pretty good runs with him here. I guess playing wise, yeah, he's been disappointing. But I do think he's an important part of this team. And do I wish he's more consistent? Do I wish he wouldn't flail? All that stuff, 100%. But I do think for the fabric of

this baseball team, he does matter. And he's fabric and if I'm a big judgment of what I think about him will be how I feel about the relationship. It's gonna be sort of how he feels about moving. Like if they come and say, okay Nick you can stay with this team and whatever happens after this, you know, when his contract is up, but are you willing to take, you know, how ready he would be to take a pay cut to stay on this team? Because I, you know, I can't imagine he's gonna come in, he would come back to the same, you know, retime with the same exact

I appreciate him. I mean he's got two years left. He's not we're not renegotiating contracts, it's not Not how the sport works or any sports anymore You know, you paid what you are. But yeah, I mean maybe after two years, we'll see what happens The one I'm gonna be very curious about is Schwaber. Schwaber's up after next year and JT too. Like what do they do with those guys? I think Schwaber is really important to the clubhouse as well. Obviously they've talked about his leadership and he can DH for me for as long as he wants. Frankly he's been really really good this year. JT is gonna

be an interesting one but a lot of our guys here that help this team go on the runs I mean some of those contracts are gonna be coming up and they're gonna have tough decisions to make. And we know what they did in 2011 on is they stuck with those guys and it was a pretty long drought. So, Middleton seems convinced or not convinced, but he doesn't wanna go through that again. I think the deadline kinda showed us that.

And, but we don't have to worry about renegotiating Gaziano's contract. Tyler's in Scranton. What's happening, Tyler? Hey, how we doing, Jed? Big fan of the POD. Thank you, man.

Appreciate it. All right, so I got two quick takes for you. First is, let's beat around the bush right now. Hoffman needs to get every ninth. He's got to be your closer. And then the second one is God forbid bomb has an injury Why not? Why not give Aidan Miller a little look bring him up? Here I wish a little early. He's heating up in Jersey Shore

But listen any time we bring up Aidan Miller on WIP on the final out is a huge win for me Tyler I appreciate I'd love to see him give him a little You know the roster's are extend why not give him a shot give him a little run give him a little run appreciate it Yeah, I would listen a the Miller. I'm very high on by the way betting 357 in August It's important stuff that matters here in the final out, but um yeah the bone thing Obviously we'll monitor and see where that is tomorrow as for Hoffman is the lockdown closer like yeah in a perfect world 100%. My issue is I wish there was someone I trusted more to get like let's say you know the ninth is the bottom of the Dodgers order but in the eighth the top of the Dodgers order like I want Hoffman on those guys like

that's the the big thing with the whole Hoffman has to get the ninth. Well if the tougher part of the lineup is the eighth then I want Hoffman in the eighth. Do I need Hoffman in the seventh like he's been the last couple weeks at some points? I don't need that at all. Like that's one that we find someone else for that role. Maybe Kirkland. Kirkland again exciting developments on the Orion Kirkland front recently, but yeah Kaufman was brilliant tonight and if the ninth inning calls for him and it's it's The part of the order that you need him on like in a perfect world. I want Hoffman taking the ninth I trust him an absolute ton

Tomorrow Ranger swore is making a second start off the IL. See how he looks first start was great The velocity is back. The the spotting was back with his pitches. Obviously second time out. He's probably stiff after Saturday against the Royals, but Ranger is something to definitely monitor. First start all good. Renato Lopez on the mound for the Braves who obviously Carved the Phils in his last timeout a lot of 97s down in the zone hard to lift against Renato Lopez But Phil's got a tough task tomorrow as they look to build on a big win tonight But at least he had the first one out of the way losing the first game of the series

They've been doing that a lot recently It just it stresses you out for the rest of the series because you feel like you blew one. So really, really big from that standpoint. Getting the first one out of the way in comeback fashion. Let's hope they use this as some wind at their sails and they can carry this over tomorrow and start continuing to confirm their belief that they are back. That's all we can hope for. But that's gonna do it for me. Thanks for hanging out here on The Final Out.

Justin D'Orazio produced a program tonight, a little best of action coming up here on WIP. So enjoy that, a lot of good stuff happening on the station over the last couple of days. So do not miss all of that. Thanks for hanging out here on Sports Radio 94 WIP.