High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Just A Nice, Normal Win For The Phillies

Episode Date: May 7, 2025

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies taking the opening game in their series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Presented by Miller Lite To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com 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

Are you ready to dive into the story stats and personalities that make baseball the greatest game in the world? Rob Bradford from the Baseballs & Boring Podcast here, and we'll have you covered every day with podcasts that bring you closer to the action. From the bleachers to the clubhouse, whether you're a diehard fan or just a casual observer, these conversations are aimed to educate, entertain, and most importantly, inform you. Follow the Baseballs and Boring podcast in the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast. One, one pitch swing and a high fly ball deep right field. That one going, going and gone and Nick Castellanos with a opposite field. Three run home run here to break it wide open in the top of the eighth inning fourth home run of the season for Nick and

The insurance the Phillies were looking for has arrived as Castellanos With his first home run since April the 14th Gives the Phillies a 7 to 2 lead 14th gives the Phillies a 7 to 2 lead On the night the Wells Fargo Center's dead Cassiano's goes yard. Oh, it's just so perfect. Oh man the bit lives on Just kidding. Welcome on and it is the final out Here on sports radio 94 WIP Jack Fritz hanging out with you as we react to a

perfectly normal solid win by the Titans tonight, that's the the main feeling the main thing that hit me as we sit down and and and try to gather ourselves after after a nice, good, solid 8-4 win down in Tampa Bay. Let's get to the game wrap-up sponsored by Roto-Rooter. When plumbing problems hit, wrap them up quick and call Roto-Rooter. Their team tackles clogs and leaks so you can stay in the game. Roto-Rooter, your MVP for plumbing solutions.

215-592-9494 is how you get in. Roto-Rooter your MVP for plumbing solutions to 155 92 9494 is how you get in seem like there's a lot of Phil's fans down in Tampa So if you happen to be at the game, we love to hear what the the atmosphere is like. It's so funny Sold out again. They saw sell out every game ten thousand some seats It's obviously it still has a spring training ish feel to it. I mean, it felt quiet watching on TV. And it just got to be so jarring. They sell out. But then when they have their normal home games at Tropicana, they sell 15,000 tickets.

So it's just the trade-off. But still, it definitely had the feel of a minor league ballpark. And certainly some of the home runs had the feel of a minor league ballpark and Certainly some of the home runs had the look of some minor league home runs. 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 takeaway is about tonight and and really just kind of where they've been the last week and a half of the season is it kind of feels like it's settling down. You know you're starting to understand what this team is going to be. You see some weaknesses you see some strengths. They're clearly a good team. How great are they? I think is still going to be determined

but I think from the standpoint of writing the ship and and settling down and Picking themselves back up after the Mets series you're seeing after the Mets series I remember distinctly saying we'll learn a lot about this baseball team in the next two weeks and they're responding really well to that. And it just, it feels like the, maybe there was a ship that was kinda in some choppy waters. Well, it feels like it's, there's gonna be,

they're obviously gonna go through rough stretches. I get it. But it looks like they've righted the ship here a little bit. Obviously starting staff wise has been, has been really solid and, and and in some instances better than solid Lineup, I still think that there's gonna be some question marks But tonight, you know they they talked at the end of last year for as much as we talked about chase They talked about letting the ball travel and using the entire field. Well tonight

Three opposite opposite field home runs. Cassianos obviously was thinking opposite way. Bryce was thinking opposite way. They were four for nine with runners in scoring position and they only struck out five times. So how good is this offense? I still think that that that that's ultimately gonna come down to how they play in October. I totally understand that. But I talked on leading off tonight about how there are some good things under the hood here

that I think can maybe start making you feel a little bit better about the offense. Like they had the number one K to walk ratio in all of baseball as an offense. Lineup kinda seems like they're settling into this thing with Scott at the top, the top tray two more hits tonight Hitting over 300 hitting over 400 in the last, you know, I think week and a half two weeks Harp coming along Schwab er home run again tonight leads the National League

Pay them. I mean there was a Jeff passing article today where It seems like he laid the groundwork at four years, 100 million, 25 million a year for Schwab or services. He's gotten better as a Philly. He's gotten much, much better. He's non-tendered by the Cubs that they're helping them win a World Series. It was a low point.

He went to the Nationals, got with Kevin Long, found some things, went to Red Sox, was awesome there. I mean you're seeing Kyle Schwaber developing into the one of the better power threats in the National League right before our eyes. He's been there for the last couple of years but you're seeing a more complete Kyle Schwaber. Cassiano's really big seeing him get off of Schneid power wise. First home run since April 14th tonight. I I just think offensively, you know Kepler's had a good little stretch here JT I Can't get to I

worry about JT For this season, you know I think we might be seeing a guy who is slowing down and it kind of is what it is bomb Good to see him get the home run tonight. he starts to to fight his way out of this thing He has had a lot of base hits, but obviously it's been a while since you've seen the extra base hit I think it was like 35 straight plate appearances without an extra base hit before obviously the the home run tonight Which will get more into in? In a little bit, but I just think that this thing is settling down

there's some bullpen things for sure that we will highlight, but I just, I think it could have gotten rocky after the Mets series and it could have gotten out of control. I think there could have been louder whispers of should Rob Thompson's job be on the line and I know they got to go out and play another game tomorrow, And I know they got to go out and play another game tomorrow But as it as it currently stands and currently watching them play and even reacting to the diamondback series We took two or three against a pretty good team while I know they're on their last leg of a road trip sure but a pretty good team and and one that's obviously been rent free in your head since since the 2023 and I'll see yes and even to fight back the way they did, instead of just rolling over and knowing they had an off day yesterday on Sunday afternoon,

I thought was impressive as well. So I think you're starting to see some of the grittiness from the team. You're starting to see some makeup and they're starting to play really solid baseball. Two one five, five nine two, 94-94 to get in on the final out First big takeaway settling into the season and and the offense tonight again

Let the ball travel using all fields three opposite field home runs tonight Four for nine with Ron's scoring position only five strikeouts. That's that's some some good offense passing the baton I think they had four walks tonight, so maybe they're starting to get the hint or get what Rob Thompson was trying to say after the season and maybe in spring training. And then the second biggest takeaway is I thought Wheeler was great tonight. I know he made the one bad pitch that resulted in the home run and and loud doubled off him But that was it I mean that was really it and the pitch count the night is brought to you by the Plumbers Union local

690 protecting the health of the nation visit plumbers 690 org 84 pitches for Wheeler tonight could have gone back out there Obviously being at 84 pitches, but they blew it open you have to get some of these bullpen guys right and You don't need to run Zach Wheeler into the ground. He did his job tonight. He pitched seven innings. I know I Know there's people like 84 pitches Let him finish it. You don't have to it's it's early his stuff was popping I thought that was the best his stuff looked and the most impressive thing about Zach Wheeler and You know, I obviously I'm a pitching nerd if you're pitching nerd

I think we like watching great pitchers Zach Wheeler's a great pitcher. What I love about wheels is Every story seems like he's he's he's not gonna have to feel for one of his pitches And the great part about him is that fastballs elite. It's always gonna be elite even when it's 95 It's really hard to square up. It's it's an it's a ridiculous pitch But tonight like I've never seen him have but I've had I thought his curveball tonight out of nowhere Was his second best secondary and I feel like that's never the case. What makes him so special is that it usually takes him like three innings. He finds the pitch, his second pitch off of his four seamer and he throws a cutter pretty

consistently and I think he's developed a pretty good feel for the sweeper, but I think he had a great feel for his sweeper tonight. But he always, always usually finds it and it's just it's just crazy to me being able to watch a guy adjust mid-game to Either having it or not, you know and tonight he didn't have a splitter at all Like there's a couple of other bats where I was like this feels like a split pitch feels like a time for a splitter He threw it a couple times didn't work

But guess what he had the curveball and I feel like he never really has the curveball you know, it feels like it's always been the the weakest link of his of his arsenal, which sounds crazy to say cuz it They're all pretty damn good. But he just finds a way he finds a way and even when he has that bad inning bounces right back I think he retired nine straight after that. So I mean, he's a horse's horse. He's a he's a pure pitcher and Just watching him work without having a great secondary pitch tonight But still have the fastball below back up 97 98 was a really good sign for old Zach Wheeler Let's go to the phones Dave's in Maryland. What's happening pal? Hey Jack it was nice to see a normal baseball

game tonight. Just the, you know, Wheeler getting Wheeler getting ahead, you know, making one mistake. But, and then the, I didn't think they were going to tack on. It felt like a typical game where they weren't going to tack on. And then they came alive in the eighth. And uh, you know, that was a, just breathe some, uh, you know, that was, uh, just breathe some, uh, you know, relaxation into the, into the game. And it was, uh, it was a good win. Castellanos his swings tonight looked like Cincinnati reds, Castellanos swings were you're fearful for him at the plate when he came up and he just

was punishing the ball, which great start to the road trip. Hopefully Sanchez can build off that and I'm watching the Mets here looks like Brandon Nemo hurt his knee pretty good right now and that's not good for them so anyway it was a good win a good normal win Dave I think that's the best way to explain it and I appreciate the phone call that's what it was I mean tonight was a a perfectly normal good win and sometimes it's good to have one of those and cast The honest I mean I don't want to get too ahead of myself Of course, but it was a is definitely a step in the right direction Mets are certainly battling some injuries right now

I mean if it's true, I didn't see the play with NIMO's a little bit banged up I know AJ mentors done for the year and and Jesse Winker is out for a little stretch. So Maybe some some bad luck happening to the Mets two one five five nine two ninety four ninety four to get in There's only one real negative Tonight we'll get into that plus a bit that came and went without many people even knowing about it and of course we will get to the player of the game as Well, all that's coming up next on the final out on sports radio 94 WIBA mom's dads Are you the parent of a student athlete? Do you want to know how to get the most out of youth sports? If so, listen to the next pitch podcast to give you the tools to raise an aspiring athlete

It's not simple, but we talk straight and give you the best insight there is when it comes to youth sports. We'll cover everything from nutrition and training to mental toughness and teamwork. It's a podcast you can listen to together with your kids so everyone can benefit. Follow next pitch on the Odyssey app or wherever you listen to podcasts. Three one pitch and it swung on hit well right field corner going back on it is Jankowski and that one is gone opposite field Alec Bohm first homer of the season. Finally for Alec Bohm it's a two run shot and it's a three nothing

Phillies lead. Well listen all bits are now it was a winning bit. I'm going to be honest the Alec Bohm home run tracker if you missed it, we we unveiled that earlier today on the afternoon show and It was like, you know We're about a month into the season as I still know home runs one of five qualified hitters without a home run yet let's let's have a little bit of fun and I mean in the most classic fashion most classic fashion He hits a home run in his first at bat now it guess it would have gone out at seven ballparks, but

You know, it was felt like a triple A home run. But regardless, happy for Bomer, and maybe this gets him going. I'm not gonna sit here and say, I think this is gonna get him going in the power department. I think those, or that idea is not really feasible, but would still definitely love 15 home runs if possible from from Alec Bohm so hey maybe tonight kind of gets me going but the the Alec Bohm home run tracker

straight into crickets might have died tonight now it could turn positive you know Alec Bohm home run tracker he gets stupid hot starts realizing his size starts driving the baseball, and then it turns into a non-sarcastic bit. Would love that as well, because you want to know why? Because that would be a great outcome for the Phillies, and maybe he's sick of hearing about the name AutoKemp. Maybe he's just sick and tired of having to hear that, get another hit later, which is

good to see. So Alec Bohm, maybe he too is settling into the season. Now, one negative from tonight is the pitching of Kirkering and Strom. I feel like Strom has not gotten the same kind of questions as Orion Kirkering. I think that's been fair fair Kirkering has had the more large-scale blowups and to expect Strom to pitch how well how good he did last Year and really the first half of last year where he made the all-star team and the feel he's having two Middle relievers make the all-star team is pretty ridiculous. So to expect him to pitch to that level probably unrealistic

He was also banged up a little bit in spring training Still I feel like inherited runners have have scored at a higher clip against ROM this year And I just think there's been a little bit of the crispness that hasn't exactly been there What like I'm like that we've seen the last two seasons command seems a little bit off fastball command He's usually, he'll miss by a foot and then dial back in. I feel like he hasn't dialed back in. So maybe he just needs to pitch more. I don't know. But he's definitely been not as locked down as he was last year. And then Kirkering, Kirkering seems like a confidence issue to me. I still don't think he has a great plan to get lefty hitters out.

I think that he just kind of sits that outside corner rather than trying to bust any of them in. And I would be curious to see what that sinker would look like in on righty on lefties. I still think Eventually, he's gonna have to learn a third pitch now relievers for a hundred years in baseball I've gotten away with only having two pitches, but you know for him, I think he's got pretty easy mechanics Obviously has 98 we know he has a sweeper. I still think a cutter Something that can move into to lefties away from righties Getting guys off the barrel

Looking at his arm slot. I don't think it'd be a super tough pitch to learn But anything to kind of get guys a little bit more uncomfortable in the box against Kirkpatrick because for a guy that throws 98 with that sweeper guys seem seem really comfortable in the box against Kirk Ring because for a guy that throws 98 with that sweeper, guys seem really comfortable in the box against them and I think with Kirk Ring, it's going to come up like he's going to have to get on a roll and get hot and carry it, you know, for a good little stretch. I think he's just going through a bit of a confidence issue right now and he doesn't look like he's super confident in when he's out there looks like he's kind of nibbling a little bit too much for my liking with the guy with his stuff you shouldn't need to nibble but he does seem to

nibble so we'll see with carcuring but certainly again not as super encouraging outing from him tonight as it's been a really tough two weeks for him. And while we talk about settling down bullpen, I think has been a part of that as well. You know, some of the pieces that were huge question marks like Joe Ross and Jordan Romano settling down a little bit, Alvarado, of course. And, you know, but they're not going to, they need Kirkering to be a high leverage piece. I think for them to really reach even

Top 10 bullpen status, you know, I think that they're about middle of the pack Kirkering's a big big swing guy from the standpoint of of The ceiling of this bullpen Maybe they switch Romano and Kirkering here for the little for a little bit of a stretch here and let Kirkland go back to what he was last year and have hot like Romano step into more of Hoffman kind of roles which is later in the ballgame. I don't know, but I don't think that, you know, Kirkland right now is certainly not getting the job done. Let's go to Ryan is in Allentown was at the game tonight. What's happening Ryan? What's going on Jack? I'm actually at Tampa tonight. Yeah how was it man? I mean you know it was electric in there. We were sitting like five rows up on the Phil's dugout on the third base line. It was absolutely electric in there dude. How was the how was the vibes

in the Phil's dugout? Seemed like they're having a good time tonight So I heard rice kind of talking to Boomer there right before his home run I heard him say hey here we go to a next pitch get an off a taco shot See, I thought I thought you're gonna say hey They did the ack-boom home run tracker like in a sarcastic tone on the afternoon show today Let's shut them up a little bit. So I like the hey 280 here we go, would have appreciated the plug from Bryce, but it was interesting, it was crazy, and I don't know why,

I don't know why the reaction was the way it was, obviously we're not in the clubhouse, but they were like so happy for Castellanos, I couldn't tell if it was maybe a payback for when Usada hit him last year, and that was the Cassianos's revenge But like Harper was like put his arm around him and smiling and that was also an interesting moment on TV Where it looked like everyone's it was a big inside joke and I had no idea what the joke was Ryan Well, no, dude. That's the first thing I thought when I told when he hit that home run

I was like, oh my god, you got a bench. He's back. That's Cassie. That's when he went to dug out. I was like, Oh my God, he's got them. Like that's it. Yeah. No, the biggest thing I wanted to tell you about this game that, uh, that Schwab are first thing home run. I was standing on the first base line. Um, me and my buddy had just got some beers. Standing there waiting for our other buddy to get beers. A guy walks behind us and said, Schwabert's about to put this in the seat. And I turn to my buddy, I go, he's right.

He just spoke it into existence. Next pitch, Schwabert jumps one in the left field. I'm like, oh my God, there it is. Bang, bang. It was, it was, it was incredible. It was incredible. Now we go on the rest of the series and then you gotta bring us a sweep

or are you just make it up tonight so tomorrow i got to work i got i got to be on the on the whole ship you know i don't know got to do i got to be a part of the but i thought there's there's an open air you know i don't know if you know

uh... they're going to be a bad day to be a right like that always a bad day to be a bad always a bad day to be away when I'm in town Alright, man Appreciate the phone call and thank for service, of course but yeah, now Schwab er just ever ever since I put out a Little old tweet about his numbers since moving into the spot Directly behind Bryce Arp the lineup, whether it was third, fourth, he was there to protect Bryce.

Ever since I put out his stats, where he's sitting like 208 with a 283 slugging percentage, he snapped right out of it. He's like, no, I got it, we're good. And again, Passon wrote today that teams wouldn't hesitate to give him $25 million a year over four years. So his price is just continuing to rise as he is He's getting better. He's getting better speaking of Cassianos my player of the game brought to you by South Jersey gas conserve

Helping customers and the community save energy and money visit South Jersey gas Dot-com slash conserve Nick Cassian's three for five tonight big home run late a little extra insurance To make it eight three before strong gave the run and ended up eight four backs Spun some baseballs. It was a good night for Cassiano's and again like buzz What was your theory on that because I did you notice? Did did you notice as well how happy they were about it? Obviously they're happy their guys are hitting home runs. I just, it was so over the top.

It was a little too happy for a home run to go up 7-2. It felt like an inside joke. I was like, well, what's the inside joke? What's the bit? There was something going on in the dugout. Like you said, it might be a little bit of a callback to last year, or Castellanos called a shot in the dugout, or something like

that. It had to be. I would love to get the answer but apparently there's no audio besides Zach Wheeler. There are some people in the city very upset about that. What question is Rob Thompson ducking in the post-game media? Can't even address the fans of this city after a win. Yep, yep, there he goes. Old Rob Thompson ducking the top questions.

Maybe because he knows Marcus Hayes isn't down there tonight, and he feels like he's got a night off. He doesn't feel like getting grilled. He doesn't feel like getting grilled. All right, on the other side, we will get to a look ahead to tomorrow, and someone who is looking more and more like himself all that's coming up next on the final out on sports radio 94 WIP. Swung on and hit it here to left it's deep going back is Simpson to the

track at the wall he is out of room it's gone and an opposite field home run for Kyle Schwab that's number 12 on the season He had a huge home stand and starts the road trip on the right foot as well Giving the Phillies a 1-0 lead Now my problem with Schwab bombs this early in the game is that I'm still in my freaking car You know, I love listening to fransky and and stock in LA. Happy birthday, LA But you know say some of these for late I got the I got the little jam shot single by Schwab's late three or four by Kyle tonight and and stock in LA happy birthday LA but you know say some of these for late I got the I got the little jam shot single by Schwab's late three or four by Kyle

tonight is uh I mean overall he is up to 258 on the season now I see the tough stretch there but you you start looking up and down starts in a little bit of a funk I think he's two for his last 20 but he's down to two sixty four but overall he's done a good job in the leadoff spot trays up to 301 Harp 241, but I think we're starting to see him climb out of it Cassianos 288 Kepler 255 with five dingers and then you know Real Muto boom and the center fielder. Tonight was Marsh. Had two strikeouts. Dig it a base hit, which was nice.

Worked a walk. Obviously, Rojas has done a good job so far in that spot. But lineup, maybe starting to lengthen out a little bit. Here's what Passon wrote earlier today, instead of just saying, maybe misquoting just to get it on record with what he said a designated hitter who's going to be 33 next opening day getting a nine-figure deal Schwab er is an outlier in so many other respects so why not here too he is

terminally productive he is an exceptional clubhouse leader nobody would blink at giving him 25 million a year and a four year ask, particularly in a class week on high end bats, is imminently reasonable. So my thing with Schwabr is I think it's a no brainer to resign Schwabr. The problem if you don't resign Schwabr is where's the power coming from if you don't resign Schwabr is like where's the power coming from if you don't resign Schwabr? You need to have Thump in your lineup and if you let him go, Harper's your only 30 home run threat. I mean they don't have anyone else really. I mean we know what Stodditt is,

we know what Turner is, we know what Boam is, we know what Cassianus is, Real Mutos done after this year. Maybe they resign because they don't really have a better alternative, but you don't have 30 homerun guys You need some 30 homerun guys I know everyone in the city is all geeked up on small ball and bunting but in in real baseball You need you need guys that can hit home runs so for all the other reasons why college school has to be here the biggest is they need some thump in the lineup and and Man, he's just he continues to get better with age. Speaking of guys who I think are starting to come out of it, Bryce has been really good.

Well, I mean, it's been a good three games. Really good is not how I would describe the beginning of the season. I got a little bit ahead of myself. But I thought tonight, going the opposite way, late in the game, smoking that ball, ripped the ball earlier, obviously did not hit a home run, but still smoked a couple of baseballs, which is good to see. And I thought the most encouraging part, even

against Mason Montgomery, who I think is a really nasty lefty for the, for the Rays came in in the middle of this game against lefties, a good portion of this season, he kind of just goes up there and gives up on the at bat. He didn't do that tonight. He really hung in there and tried to grind out in at bat and didn't just give it away. And there have been times really before, like, I know we always talk about Bryce

understanding the fan base and maybe listening to the fan base. I think he got the hint after Friday, you know. I think this city is pretty slow with criticizing Bryce and it takes a good, I think it takes a real boiling point for people to get worked up because again, he's been a really good Philly and I think the people that hate on Bryce are just bloodthirsty really. Um, but you know, I think that Friday, a lot of the conversation on, on these airwaves, and um, you know, on,

on social media was just about Bryce and like what's going on here and why does he look mopey? And why is he giving away at bats? And teammates feed off this, and you gotta be the thermostat, not the thermometer. And like, this is part of being a leader and being the best player on the team is helping out through down times.

And I know Fransky came on the broadcast on Friday and said that, you know, team officials say he's been a great teammate and, and, you know, better than he's been in years past or not better than he's been in years past, but the best he's been since he's gotten there, um, which is great, which is great. But I think that the last couple of days, you're starting to see him getting relocked back in and maybe he kind of had to go through that to, to have a little bit of a reminder. I don't know, but the back quality has gotten a lot better.

He obviously hit the home run the opposite way on Sunday had the hit tonight, the opposite way. So I, we've had moments in the last year where it's like, okay, here's the Bryce run. Here's the Bryce run. Here's the Bryce run. And it would be like a three gamegame spurt and then it'd be kind of you know Jekyll and Hyde you know there'd be stretches his first couple years here where it's like there's this two-week stretch and he just goes goes nuts so hopefully we can get that from Bryce but I think we're starting to see

him at least climb his way out of it now tomorrow Chris Sanchez is on the mound big start from the standpoint of you know last last outing Was good, but again. I thought he was fighting himself wasn't as crisp And I expect that as he gets more and more comfortable coming back, and you know gets back into his regular routine He's gonna be fine, but still obviously you want to see him Look more like Chris Sanchez After what the two starts ago. He only made two innings and they had some concerns about it's UCL.

So definitely don't want that to creep back in. He is being opposed by Shane Baz. Shane Baz was great before his last ad. It was at a 245 ERA, went, went seven innings, struck out six against the Padres and then bang seven earned in five and two-thirds against the Against the Royals last time out so they they knocked him around the ballpark only struck out one He's usually a pretty good strikeout guy. So Shane Daz versus Chris Sanchez tomorrow Tomorrow night seven to five. Let's close it out here with Hunter in Levittown. What's happening Hunter? Hey, Jack, how we doing? Good brother. What do you got? I just want to talk a little pigs if that's cool

Oh, man, you know, I'm done talking big Steve's diamond big thing of our lives. There we go Yeah, I just want to talk a little bit about some of the bullpen options in the farm right now I feel like every split pretty clear at this point that Lazar and Johnson are probably the next ones up Probably those are first because I don't think Johnson throwing enough strikes yet. And then Joel Kunel is kind of a fun story down there right now. I'm not really sure what his stuff looks like but... Yeah he got kind of lit up today which is a piece I thought he was on the fast track to get to get up here. I was totally with you. Yeah he took a little bit of a step back today it seems like. Sure yeah

and I'm not really sure what his stuff looks like So I can't really speak too much to him A couple other fun guys that I was excited for Iverson Castellano because he had that spring experience with the twins, too But then he got hurt today. I thought a couple days ago, too So I think he's kind of off the radar but and then Titan Hayes like that's a guy who's kind of fun But I feel like it's asking a lot of him to have that Orion Kirk ring jump But I am kind of keeping an eye on McFarland down in clear water. I know he's a single a guy He's a starter right now. I thought his last start looked really good. I got to watch a little bit of it

I think I had like six K's and four innings and he said triple digits before you got a decent pitch mix So I don't know if you have any thoughts on him, but thanks for taking my call Well, you're speaking my language my friend you are speaking my language Alex Mafarlin is, they're starting him down in Jersey Shore. I think he's a clear reliever but I think they want to build some trade value for him and if he can establish himself as a starter obviously that helps. Maybe if he's here past trade deadline, then they will transition him back into a bullpen beast

but I think his stuff definitely pops. Yeah, I thought Kuna was on a on the fast track here really good splitter And can touch high 90s with this fastball, but he got hit around a little today So now you guys the one that is that is interesting out for the iron pigs got like a point nine ERA Really power stuff like 96 to 99 with heavy sink now when I watch them doesn't command it as well You know, I always get worried about it, you know at the big league level The one that's interesting is that the they keep starting to be able Chris Matt and he's pitched to a 2-3 Er a like a starter, which is great. Obviously Maybe it's some some walk concerns. I mean he walked three today

We still he went six innings didn't allow a run and struck out five. So There's some guys up in Lehigh Valley here are definitely pitching really well and for those keeping track at home Crawford had two hits. He's hitting 325 on the year than 811 OPS AutoCamp one for four with three strikeouts, but he did have a big hit late So AutoCamp watch is currently I guess halted because because bone one yard today But no, I'm just kidding either way a lot of good stuff happening up on the farm 23 and 11 the iron pigs are hot All right Before the FCC comes in and shuts this this conversation down about the iron pigs before I kill all the buzz

Heading into to Marcus Hayes. I will get on out of here either way I'll be back tomorrow with you leading into the game I believe and then I will not be with you post game because I'll be out of Casey's in Drexel Hill alongside James Salter so a little high hopes get together for Phil's Rays to come hang out Tomorrow night at Casey's in Drexel Hill really looking forward to that. So Thanks for hanging out buzz produced the program tonight Marcus Hayes is next. He'll take you through the rest of the night here on Sports Radio

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