High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: It's Finally June!

Episode Date: June 12, 2024

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies winning the series opener against the Red Sox behind a pair of home runs by Kyle Schwarber and another dominant start by Zack Wheeler. 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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or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome on in. It is the final out. Sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable. Never looks so good. Jack Fritz hanging out with you on this Tuesday night is the Phil's return from, from London.

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Good amount of Phil's fans up in Fenway Park tonight. We'll get into that in a second. But if you are leaving Fenway, we'd love to hear from you. You seem like a great crowd. And obviously, if you just sat on the couch like I did and watched that one, we'd love to get your reaction to a professional workman-like performance by the Phillies up at Fenway Park tonight. The biggest takeaway of the game, biggest takeaways of the game,

is brought to you by Morgan & Morgan, America's largest injury firm. I've mentioned it a couple times, but a little CBP North tonight up at Fenway. Again, it was a once-proud city. I mean, we just have had two just kind of embarrassing events for once-pr proud fan bases. One is what happened tonight in St. Louis, which if you haven't seen, they gave a standing ovation to Paul Skeens for going 6-1, allowing six hits and an earned run.

I mean, that's baseball heaven. That's not where I would want to play. If I was a Cardinals player, I'd be like, are you guys kidding me? You don't always have to be so nice. So that's baseball heaven. That's not where I would want to play. If I was a Cardinals player, I'd be like, are you guys kidding me? You don't always have to be so nice. So that's embarrassing. And then, again, the Red Sox fans tonight, Red Sox Nation, you're going to have 500 ball club. I know that your owners haven't spent money in a long time,

and you don't really have a star on offense outside of Rafi Devers. But, man, that was a takeover tonight. I mean, that'd be like, you know, it's not like Cowboys fans taking the link. It's not like we have a hatred of the Red Sox. But I guess it would be like, I don't know, like an opposing fan base actually coming in and kind of overtaking the link. That's bad. But I'm proud of Phillies fans. Obviously, out in London was great. An opposing fan base actually coming in and kind of overtaking the link. That's bad.

But I'm proud of Phillies fans. Obviously, out in London was great. But we talk about the heyday. We talk about what that felt like. We talk about 07-11 and the magical run. Well, that whole run, the crowds that would show up on the road were part of what made that run that run. It always felt like San Diego and obviously Washington. There was thousands of Phillies fans.

It seems like London into Boston. That was impressive. Watching it on TV, it sounded really loud in the night. So once again, a good CBP North kind of thing there by the Phillies fans. My second big takeaway is it's finally June. Happy June 1st, everyone. We don't need to talk about the first 11 days of the month. Shout out to Schwarber, man.

And, you know, we are – the one thing that I think Schwarber does really, really well is has a feel for moments with his team. You know, we talk about Rob Thompson and a finger on the pulse. It's hard for a player, it seems like talk about Rob Thompson and a finger on the pulse. It's hard for a player, it seems like, to kind of have a finger on the pulse. But Kyle Schwarber has that. There's been moments where it's like, it's time to worry about the Phillies, or is this going to go off track here a little bit here?

Today, we have the JT news. Bang. Schwarber sits too. He's a tone setter. And it's why he's the leadoff hitter. Again, they weren't even done reading the reads for the first inning tonight. They weren't even done doing any of the reads tonight. And Schwab had already made it 1-0.

I mean, it's the value of having him lead off the ballgame. I'm glad that it seems like a lot of people are over the Kyle Schwarber thing, but still good to have June Schwarber show up tonight and hopefully get on pace and get into the 40s and home runs again. And my third big takeaway is Zach Wheeler was

brilliant tonight. The pitch count is sponsored by the Plumbers Union Local 690, protecting the health of the nation. Visit plumbers690.org. I thought Wheels was great tonight. And, you know, there has been times where it kind of feels like he's fighting himself. I thought the last couple outings he has been fighting himself.

Tonight looked closer to pure dominant Wheels than I feel like the last couple of outings. And it's so funny because while I felt that way, and I think people have felt that way, I mean, we're so spoiled by the guy. The guy's a 2.13 ERA. He's like third in the National League in strikeouts. He's been really good this season. He has set the bar so high that it's like when

things don't look perfect, it's like, well, what's wrong with the wheeler? It's crazy. I thought he located his sweep really well tonight. The Red Sox, it seemed like they had a plan of just fouling off a ton of pitches, whether it's him, Strom, Alvarado, and making guys work. That's fine.

But I thought the Phillies did a good job of continuing to have command of the strike zone. So I thought Zach Wheeler was brilliant. I liked that they pulled him after 88 pitches. He is back on track now. I know there's a lot of factors heading into that Zach Wheeler start tonight. You had the he's on too much rest thing, which hopefully we can move past. And then the bigger issue, because again, JT's going to be out for a

little bit, is can he pitch to Garrett Stubbs? Yes, he can pitch to Garrett Stubbs. Yes. He's the best pitcher in the National League. Yes. Yes. He can pitch to Garrett Stubbs. I don't care that his ERA was over six heading into today. I think that Zach Wheeler went a long way towards dispelling that. The rest thing I think makes more sense.

He likes being on his routine. The Stubbs thing, I just didn't buy. I think Garrett Stubbs calls a really good game. I like Garrett Stubbs behind the plate. And it was good to see those two have a good outing. And if there was any concern from Wheeler of like how am I going to be throwing to Stubbs hopefully tonight was a step in the right direction because again it's probably going to be four starts where it's going to be him and Stubbs or I guess him and Marshawn whenever he's out there but still I thought tonight was a really really good Zach Wheeler out and I couldn't tell was the camera angle or if they worked on new pitches. If it was a camera angle, not worked on new pitches, I mean like got more horizontal movement on his sweeper. But if it was just the camera angle, because I thought his sweeper had more

movement. I thought Strom had some more movement on his slider. So maybe it was the camera angle. I want that camera angle on every single ballpark. I mean, it was just a treat. I know that's like a super baseball nerdy thing to worry about, but I love that camera angle. I thought it was great. 215-592-9494. What was your biggest takeaway of the game? There's a lot to get into tonight. We'll start off with Jessica, who just left Fenway.

What's happening, Jessica? Hi. We just left the ballpark with my family. We're driving back to Philly. Oh, wow. That's amazing. Was it, I mean, how many Phillies fans would you say were there, like percentage-wise?

Oh, tons. It was tons. Yeah, they were everywhere. They were all around us. My son, he's two, we sat right behind Rojas, and he actually threw him a ball. That's a pretty awesome seat. That's an awesome seat.

Yeah, it was a good time. I was actually shocked how many Phillies fans were there. I feel like coming off London, London's the big trip. People are going to go over to London. There's like 60,000 people. I thought Fenway, straight off of that, would have been a little bit less of a crowd, but apparently not. I mean, it seemed

packed. Before the game, a lot of the Red Sox beat reporters were like, this might be a takeover tonight. So it was kind of wild. Were you in your seats for the Kyle Schwarber leadoff home run, or did you miss it? Oh, yeah. Yeah, I actually was. Yeah, we were there for the first one he did at the first pitch.

That was awesome. I walked around with my other daughter. We came back, and he hit another home run. It was awesome. We also did a tour earlier in the day of the ballpark and we actually had a lot of Philly fans on our tour as well. Now did you get to the Ted Williams

500 plus foot home run seat? We did not. No. They just took us up to the Green Monster. We walked around up there. We got to watch some of the Boston players do their batting practice. We got to walk home. That was pretty cool their batting practice. We got to walk them. That was pretty cool.

Yeah, it's awesome. Was that your first time at Fenway? That is, yeah. It's my very first time. Yeah, it's like a cathedral of baseball. Well, Jessica, I appreciate the phone call, and I'm glad you had a great time. Safe travels home, and I know it's a pretty long trip. Awesome.

Thank you very much. I appreciate it. All right, there she goes, Jessica, leaving Fenway Park. It's Jack Fritz here on The Final Out. We'll get to your phone calls on the other side. Don you very much. I appreciate it. All right. There she goes, Jessica, leaving Fenway Park. It's Jack Fritz here on the Final Out. We'll get to your phone calls on the other side. Don't go anywhere. But we'll also get to the play of the game and something that I love that Rob Thompson did tonight.

Don't miss that coming up next on the Final Out 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. That is our play of the game, sponsored by Mike's Amazing, the official mayo and mustard of the Phillies. Welcome back. It's the final out, sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable never looks so good.

David Dahl making things happen. Listen, if he doesn't hustle it on the first base there, it's maybe a different kind of play. I feel like the second base has been it's maybe a different kind of play. I feel like the second baseman kind of rusted a little bit, and David Dahl was right on his horse. Got to respect it. If they're going to break out the number 35 and give it to some random outfielder like they've done for the last three years,

whether it was Oscar Mercado, Drew Ellis, and now David Dahl, at least David Dahl is making that number proud for the World Series MVP. So regardless, David Dahl, I know he did almost hit a home run tonight, which was funny. I love when random players come up and have moments. It's one of the beauties of baseball to me. But he always looks like he's about to hit a ball like 700 feet. Like he's battled injuries with the Rockies.

It's part of the reason, you know, he was kind of held back a little bit. He's been, again, kind of in and out with these little soft tissue injuries. He looks pretty healthy. And he's taken some real big hacks. Also had a good play in left field earlier in the game. It was interesting. They made a defensive replacement in the ninth. I obviously haven't watched him enough.

I didn't think he's that bad of a defender to where they're putting in Christian Pache for him. Obviously, Christian Pache is a plus-plus defender in the corners. I guess I was just surprised. He looks pretty good out there. He made the good play earlier in the game. I didn't think he's a late inning, get him out of the game kind of guy defensively. And it is funny, speaking

of outfield defense and how good they are. Nick Cassianos is now over 400 games without making an error. It's pretty remarkable, the streak that Nick Castellanos is on. But yeah,

the David Dahl play is the play of the game. Obviously kind of broke it open there a little bit. Made it a 3-1 game before Schwarber went yard again to make it 4-1. And you know, David Dahl's hustle. Just making things happen. We'll get to something that I thought that Rob Thompson did tonight that was very, very smart and a positive update

from the division. But Brian is in Churchville. What's happening, Brian? Yo, Jack. What's happening? Good to talk to you, pal. What do you got for me tonight? Same here. So, yeah, you're right. The doll thing and, of course, the number 35. Yeah, he's just been

unbelievable so far. He's been such an addition. It's crazy. Yeah, I mean, it speaks, speaks again to the depth of this team. It speaks to a guy wanting to play for a winning organization. And I think the Phillies are now that team where it's like, ah, maybe I'll go there and help them kind of win a world series. Turnbull, Turnbull one year, 2 million, obviously he's paid dividends. Dahl minor league deal so far has paid dividends.

Edmundo a couple of years ago, like they're dividends. Dahl, minor league deal so far, has paid dividends. Edmundo a couple years ago. This is the Dave Dombrowski difference is being able to find these fringe pieces that can help you through 162. No, you're spot on. And that was a great pickup. That's essentially what happened with Gillick and with the A-team. So you need those fringe guys

to come in and contribute. And Dolph so far has certainly been that, without a doubt. So, and then, yeah, tonight, could there have been a better bounce back win than we saw tonight? It was just, it was perfect. It was really, it was great. It was good to see Wheeler have one of those outings. And, again, I'm glad they got him out after 88 pitches.

You don't need to, again, he went seven. He was efficient. He was in the strike zone. He only struck out four. But, like, you don't need to – because especially his last outing was his season high in pitches. I think it was like 112-ish. 88 in and out, get him back on his rhythm.

He did his job tonight. I thought it was really well done. I totally agree. Topper getting him out of there at 80. Pitchers were perfect. I was a little disappointed. You guys had a great show this afternoon, but Spike, I thought there was a little disrespect

towards Zach with the... Not a ton, but he's got to pitch to Stubbs. Have you watched this guy over the last five years that he's been here? He's a stud. He's a flat-out stud. He is.

And I'm so – I'm just glad we can kind of dispel the whole Stubbs thing. Like, Stubbs can call a good game. Stubbs is a good defensive catcher at the plate. It was good to see him get a knock tonight. That was good to see. But, like, I would not be able to live in a world where people are like, well, he can't pitch to Stubbs. And by the way, it would also be a Wheeler thing.

You've also got to get over it, buddy. And at least tonight was a good step in the right direction. I totally agree. And it was great to see Stubbs have a really good game tonight. Obviously, the fact that I was kind of with you earlier, and it's like, oh, my gosh, this Real Me goes out for how long? A month we can handle. If it's a month or so, we can handle it. But, you know,

credit the Stubbs. He was awesome tonight. Yeah, he really was, Brian. I always appreciate the phone call. And what I guess is helping me ease the tension with the JT thing is obviously the division lead is now 10 games.

Braves, by the way, lost tonight 4-0. And I think this is so fascinating because I think over the last couple years we've kind of been obsessed with the Braves offense. Man, their machines are so hard to stop. And yes, I know that Ronald Acuna is hurt. But they are 9-16 since May 15th. And they have scored three runs or fewer in 16 of those 25 games. Three runs or fewer. That is feeble from the Braves offense.

But I just – having the 10-game lead in the division helps, but I thought it was interesting. So Dave Dombrowski spoke before the game, and he said that they were going to do this this week regardless they were going to get the surgery done this week so they've been planning this and the fact that it was planned they view this as the right time to do this it reminds me of 22 where they kind of now this is not a phantom il like he actually has a tear in his in his knee but they they shut wheeler down for a little bit they shut ranger down for a little bit they shut sir anthony down they shut Wheeler down for a little bit. They shut Ranger down for a little bit. They shut Sir Anthony down. They shut Alvarado just throughout the season to, I guess,

get those guys to be at their best as the season goes on and obviously heading into the postseason. And I think protecting JT long-term is really important. And I do mean long-term. I know he has a year left on his deal. But there's not someone really coming through the system that I think is ready to take that spot as the starting catcher on this team. So I wouldn't be surprised if he gets an extension.

He's had a good year. I know he's 32, 33, but he has semi-fresh legs because he hasn't caught his whole life. He didn't really catch to the minor leagues. So I think managing JT as best as you can and not running into the ground is good. I'm happy with it. So the fact that the Phillies had to kind of plan this whole thing out, obviously having a tear in your knees, not great, but it seemed calculated. They seemed like it was a pocket on the schedule to do it.

And if they're confident in that kind of stuff, it makes me feel confident. And again, I don't think Stubbs is a drop-off defensively. Offensively, sure, sure. But with Trey coming back and hopefully June Schwarber now being here and Bryce being Bryce, and I thought Stott had a good night tonight as well, hopefully there's enough around those guys to where it isn't noticeable. Because yes, Stubbs and Rojas at the bottom of the lineup does not inspire a ton of confidence,

but Stubbs just can't be a black hole as long as he can just be serviceable and get a base knock here or there and do his little drag bunt stuff, which I love. It's going to be fine. It's going to be fine. So the one thing I love that Rob Thompson did tonight is that he went right back to Jose Alvarado. Jose Alvarado is a really good pitcher, and it was kind of unfortunate that it felt like there was a heightened sense of like,

we got to win these games out in Londonondon i felt that way too it felt big which is good on major league baseball but ultimately it was one game out of 162 i know he had a bad outing out in colorado where he let the home run up to jacob stallings i i get it there's been some moments but outside opening day before yesterday or before sunday he had a 135 era like he's jose varado is really good. He's really good. And when you have Strom, who by the way is just on an absolute reliever heater

right now. Needs to be an all-star. We all agree there. Jeff Hoffman's really good. Jose Alvarado is really good. Going away from Alvarado tonight I think would have been a mistake. Getting him right back out there, right on the horse. It's a small thing.

It might be a minute thing. But again, I think that this is where you see the value and Rob Thompson understanding his team, getting him right back on the horse, making him forget, hopefully, about what happened Sunday in London and just saying, that's in the past. You're still our guy. We trust you. Go get us three outs. Simple as that.

And I thought Alvarado, after he allowed the hit, really locked in and kind of did a job. So I thought that was really smart by Rob Thompson. Connor is in Texas. What's happening, Connor? What's going on, Jack? How's it going, man? Good.

So I wanted to build on a point you said earlier about Dave went out and found all this talent, which is completely true. Like this fringe talent to fill in when this stuff happens because it's a long season. But it also comes down to a clubhouse environment that can embrace these guys when they come up, not make them feel lesser than, or, oh, the backup guy's here, or whatever, or, oh, here's Dahl.

There's obviously an embracing of these guys in the clubhouse. There is a desire to keep winning, regardless of the loss of talent, and it is paying off. So that way, when we have these situations where Trey Turner is down and Brandon Marsh is down, and now JT Romito is down, well, I mean, that's fine.

We can keep winning games, because not only do we have the guys in the minors or guys on the bench, but everyone feels as though the mission of the team is to win. It's not just to elevate superstars. Yeah, and it's like the culture of the team is to never panic. That's what it seems like. Exactly.

You've got to come in and do a job. We trust you. Go do your thing. And you have to wonder, you know, is that a culture that exists on other teams like the Braves? You know, they lost Strider. They lost Acuna. And now they're just completely falling apart. You know, there was some evidence that that happened even after Freeman left, that there was a bit of a leadership gap.

And I think that's what makes a championship team. It's not just having all the best players and spending a ton of money, but it's cultivating a culture. And that really only starts at the top, you know, with topper, but also with the senior guys in the clubhouse. And it's an organizational thing that is, it can't money. You just cannot buy that. Well, that's just what I've been thinking about after coming back from London.

Yeah. And I've thought about, about that a lot too. And, and really I've compared it like it's the biggest difference between Matt Klintzak dave nombrowski like matt klintak acquired a lot of talent that is now on this team but he didn't know how to assemble the whole thing it's a lot like ed wade now i think ed wade gets a little bit too much credit because mike arbuckle technically drafted those guys if we want to be honest about it but like pat gillick put the finishing pieces together to round out that roster and same thing that dave Dombrowski has done to this roster. It's a difference between a team builder and a talent acquirer.

And I think, I mean, the way you described it, that's why Kyle Schwarber I think is so important. I think he brings this whole thing together. I think Nick is an important part of that too. I think Nick, I think Dave knew that about even bringing Nick in. You know, he has struggled, you know,

he's not, he's not been in maybe as what we've hoped he's been, but it does seem like he's an instrumental part of the clubhouse and, and helping lift guys up and being a voice that helps everybody. Yeah, totally. I appreciate the phone call with Connor. Yeah.

It's just, it's a really good ball club. And I'm glad they're having a, a regular season to where they can establish themselves as one of the best in the sport. And again, they just, I'll keep saying it, they just got to get it done. They got to get it done. It's right there in front of them. We'll see what happens to the trade deadline. I feel like I've

watched every single Luis Robert at bat since there's been more and more reports about them. And it just, it's actually, it's fun. Like it's fun kind of monitoring the players seeing is seeing how they would fit on the team but they just they gotta get it done 215 592 94 94 is how you get in on either side the player of the game a stat that will make you feel good about the jt romito uh injury i guess if that's if there is a silver lining or a positive, plus a look ahead to tomorrow, a massive, massive pitching matchup that affects me personally. We'll get to that coming up next on the final out on Sports Radio 94, WIPA.

Crawford's first pitch is swung on, and that one just hit well, deep to right center field, looking up, and that ball is gone. A leadoff home run for Kyle Schwarber, number 12 on the season, and the Phillies jump out to a 1-0 lead. Cutter Crawford looking in, gets his sign from Connor Wong. A windup in the pitch, swung on, that one's hit deep.

You can forget about it. That one is not coming back. Another home run for Kyle Schwarber, his second of the night, his 13th of the year, and the Phillies lead it 4-1. June 1st has officially arrived. That is our player of the game, Kyle Schwarber, which is always sponsored by South Jersey Gas, committed to providing safe, reliable, affordable natural gas.

Make the switch at southjerseygas.com slash lovemyhome. Welcome on back. This is the final out. Sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable, never looks so good. And yes, Kyle Schwarber, a tone-setting kind of home run slash home runs. By the way, this is also what he did. I'm a bit of a Kyle Schwarber fan.

I don't know if that comes across on the airwaves or on Twitter, but I appreciate Kyle Schwarber. And I do think he is really important to this team. I think that's obvious. But I think that this is what Kyle Schwarber also did when Bryce Harper got hit in the hand against Blake Snell a couple years ago was he hit a home run the next day. Like, Bryce went down.

People are freaking out. A little bit like the Carson injury in 2017, but whatever. It wasn't season ending like Carson was. And Kyle Schroeder showed up the next day, hit a big home run late in that game, and kind of put the team on his back for a little bit there. And that's what he can do. I mean, he's hit 47 and 46 home runs respectively in the last two years he got to pick up his pace a little bit to get there but still i think he is a really important piece of this team and and with jc

going down trey hopefully coming back this week marsh maybe this week if not next week like he had to step up cassianos i i keep saying he should step up, but, you know, I'll take just serviceable at this point. You know, Bryce is Bryce. He was the NL player of the month, but obviously maybe a little bit more on his shoulders now. Boehm is one they have to get going. Again, heading into tonight, since May 1st,

he's batting.227 with a.650 OPS. Like, that's not good enough from your cleanup hitter. Stott had really cooled off after he was up to.280. I thought tonight was a good night. David Dawg, I can't totally bank on him, but he takes some hacks up there. And Mundo, not a great night, but still has been really, really good since Trey went down.

You're biding a little bit of time until Trey gets back, but still, this is a really good since Trey went down. You're biding a little bit of time until Trey gets back. But still, you know, this is a Schwarber, Harper, hopefully Bumstock kind of production until Trey gets back and eventually when JT gets back. Obviously Stubbs and Rojas or Slash Patre, the bottom of the lineup can't just be there. They can't just be essentially pitchers batting 8-9. But this is on the stars to kind of carry this thing while those guys are out.

And obviously, the pitching staff has to continue to be the pitching staff, which is, again, the best in the sport. I mean, Zach Wheeler, brilliant tonight. Matt Strom, an unbelievable run he's been on since opening day. And Alvarado back on the horse tonight. By the way, tonight improved the Phillies record with Garrett Stubbs this year to 11-4 and over 700 winning percentage. How does that make you feel?

Everything's going to be okay? Hopefully. Alex is in Bethlehem. What's happening, Alex? Yo, Jack. Just a great win. So impressed with this club. You know, first game after the London series.

There's no jet lag. They just go out and take care of business. What a ball club, huh? Incredible, man. They're so much sharper than Boston. Jack, I've loved the lineup all year, but Cassidy and the two-hole, I don't know if you mentioned that.

Not crazy about that, to be honest. Yeah, it's just like, who else do you put in there? Boehm's been your cleanup hitter for a long time, this year at least. Do you put him there? You could and put Castellanos. Castellanos has

a cleanup a couple times this year. They just don't really have a great option. Maybe just put him there and see if he can take it and run with it. I got you. I just don't know who else goes there. They tried Mundo, but it was for one game. But I think that the further and further you get him up the lineup, he might get a little bit more exposed.

So it's a tough spot. But, yeah, I definitely have a great feeling in my stomach when I saw Cassianos batting second tonight. No, that's true. I'll give it a few games or maybe a week or two and see how he does. But my bigger point here to kind of state the obvious is that we have two of the absolute best players in baseball. And I think Wheeler, as long as he can stay healthy, knock on wood, I think he's a lock for the Cy Young, especially considering that he was robbed the award in 2021.

Look, I know we have a long way to go. We have the majority of the season ahead of us. But he's winning that Cy Young this year. Well, it's funny. It might come down to him or Ranger. I mean, wouldn't that be something? They're chasing each other down in September. It would be something.

But, you know, like in 2021, Wheeler deserved that award, and that was, of course, the year Harper won MVP, and I think Harper's going to do it again. I think he's right there

with Mookie, and he has more home runs, more RBIs, a little bit higher OPS, and I think by the end of the year, man, I think Bryce is going to be the MVP. Zach is going to be the Cy Young.

I know we don't do this for individual awards. It's all about that World Series, but it'd be pretty cool. Yeah, it'd be awesome to see and appreciate the call, Alex. Would have been weird in 2021 having the Cy Young and the MVP and no playoffs to show for it. But, you know, it is what it is. We got the Bryce MVP and yeah, Wheeler, a little bit of a snub job there. Little bit of a snub job.

Now, I will say, the whole two-hole casting, I think it kind of goes away the second Turner's back. So hopefully Turner can return soon. Casting can go, I guess, to six after start. Yeah, I just, it was not a great feeling seeing Castellanos in in the two hole today. I know he's playing a little bit better, but I prefer him a little bit lower in the lineup. Tomorrow on the mound for the Boston Red Sox,

Nick Pavetta. And I tell you what, it is poetic, it is beautiful that Jody is following me tonight because Jody and I used to have just legendary battles about the greatness of Nick Pavetta. So far, I've lost that one.

But, but, signs of life from old Nicky Breakout. So it'll be an emotional night for me. Everyone else will be, you know, obviously rooting for his downfall. But as a original Pavetta believer, I'm sure Ben Kenney, did I influence you with Nick Pavetta as well? Did I make you believe or were you always anti? No, I did not believe. Yeah, I don't believe you for a second.

I don't believe you for a second. It's hard not to believe in that stuff. I'm just letting everyone know. And most people remember his spring training outing against the Cardinals where he hit 100 miles an hour. It was a special day. So Nick Pavetta on the mound tomorrow for the Red Sox versus Chris Sanchez. Who, again, just a ho-hum 2.71 ERA.

Chris Sanchez has been really, really good. Again, he had that little scuffle of like three starts in a row where he could not find his changeup and his fastball velocity or fastball commands all over the place. I love when Christopher Sanchez gets into a nice little rhythm there. So hopefully we can keep that going tomorrow. Again, Red Sox, really good pitching staff, really mediocre offense, and they won't have Masataka Yoshida in the lineup tomorrow. Alex Cora also already said that he is out. So either way, Pavetta versus Chris Sanchez tomorrow. I'll get you set for the game with leading off and be reacting to it after the game.

That's going to do it for me. Ben Kenney produced the program tonight. Jody Mack, he'll take you through the rest of the night here on Sports Radio 94 WIP.