High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Luis Arraez Arrives!

Episode Date: August 5, 2026

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies' 5-0 win on Tuesday night over the Nationals and discusses Luis Arraez's impressive debut with the callers. Presented by Miller Lite.To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com

Miller Light, the official beer partner of your Philadelphia Phillies, is proud to serve as presenting sponsor of WIP's High Hopes Pod. So whether you're listening to the game, catching off on the latest High Hopes Pod or at the ballpark. Remember, it tastes like Miller time, Phillies fans. Celebrate responsibly. One ball, two strikes. Killian Reddy, here's the pitch. Strike three, called, got it looking.

The Phillies with their third shutout win in the last four games. They have started August 4. and O and Luis Arise has started his Phillies career with back-to-back RBI hits in his first two at bats. Jesus Luzardo does the rest of the work on the mound. The Phillies dominate the nationals tonight, 5-0, the final. Oh, that was a beautiful night down at the ballpark. A beautiful night. Weather-wise, team-wise, what a night.

on in it is the final out sponsored by the philadelphia parking authority offering valet park at the philadelphia airport and let me be the first to report it the feelings of a positive run differential we're back baby plus four plus four in the run differential category we did it we did it it it's finally real now it's finally real phil's win tonight five nothing louisa rise is already our baby And Jesus Lazzardo was an absolute animal on the mountain night. The game wrap-up is sponsored by Roto Router when plumbing problems hit. Wrap them up quick and call Roto Router. Their team tackles clogs and leaks so you can stay in the game.

Roto Router, your MVP for plumbing solutions. 215-592-94 to get in. Another great crowd down the ballpark. so if you are stuck in traffic, would love to, I want to hear what the crowd was like tonight, because in listening on the radio and watching on TV, it certainly felt like it was jumping down at the ballpark. And having a rise, getting a standing ovation immediately, does that happen everywhere else? It feels like whenever we have a big acquisition, it's always a rousing ovation the first time they come up. because the city just gets it.

Now, I bet there was a lot of people that were confused as to why the guy who's been a three-time batting champ isn't exactly the most fleet of foot, doesn't have a lot of power, why he was batting fourth. But I think as the game progressed, it started to make more and more sense. So if you were down there tonight or if you watch one on your couch, we'd love to hear from me. because, you know, the reaction in the last couple of days, and I've been a part of it, and it's not like everything is just washed away because of one game where everything seemed to go right. But for as much as I kind of described the trade deadline as they got to the red zone and then kicked a field goal on first down, the Raleigh trade, the Arise trade, and the Killian trade happening within three minutes of each other at 9.30.

in the morning really felt like you were being set up for what was going to be a monstrous trade deadline for the Phillies. And they, I don't think they're sitting on their hands. I don't think that's fair. I think they're trying to make moves, but they ultimately weren't able to add anything else to the team. And I think that that deflated people a little bit. And, you know, tonight was a good reminder that, hey, you added a guy who was hitting

324 to the middle of this lineup where you already have some stars. the stars are starting to heat up. You add him to the mix. It lengthens it a little bit. He's a pest. They have the makings here. I was dreaming about October, Washington. I was dreaming about what this offense can do in October because he can possibly swing it.

They haven't had a guy like him since Sigora, and he is Segorah on steroids. So it was a really, really, really exciting tonight. The biggest takeaways of the game of brought to by Morgan and Morgan America's largest injury law firm. It's just a continuation of that. I mean, I'm ready to give a rise a three-year, $45 million deal tonight. Don't make this a rental. Make sure he stays here for a little bit. You know, next year, maybe that's when you have the conversation with Trey,

and he's playing left field or center field. You have started shortstop. You have a different third baseman, hopefully, hopefully. Of course. Oh, all the juice in the world. And old Eeyore comes up and grounds it to a double play, 643, per usual. Bomer just sucking the energy out of the building. But regardless, we're not letting that throw off what was a tremendous, tremendous night down the ballpark.

Was there anything more fitting and more baseball and hard not to be romantic about this sport than Bryce getting the first pitch of the game hit right to him? It's perfect. He had a lot of baseballs hit his way tonight, did a good job out there. A rise didn't get any plays shockingly until late in the game. But, you know, the energy he brought, it was so, actually there was one clip tonight of him, you know, being animated in the box, and JT's just laughing behind him. And I think for a team that is a bit older, you know, I don't think cremogeny is the,

is totally fair, but I think that they are very much act like you've been there before, you know, go about your business, let's go win baseball games. Adding a guy like a rise who is accomplished, who is a star in his own right, is someone who clearly, and now that we're going to watch him every night, it's going to be even more fun. But, you know, that was the first time really just sitting down and be able to watch him in a Phillies uniform and lock in when he's up there. I mean, all the antics in the box and how he always feels like he just missed the pitch

and taking certain pitches and that kind of stuff can bring energy to a ball club. So what a just such high approval after one night. And obviously it gets off to the hot start. an RBI single after the big ovation, and he's fired up down at first base. And, you know, that's the first two of bats are exactly why you want him batting forth. Also, Bryce walking in those first two at bats. You know, all of a sudden, he feels like, hey, I got someone behind me that I can actually trust with the bat in his hands.

I'm going to take my walks and I'm going to trust a rise to put the ball in play, go the opposite way, whatever it takes. to bring some runs home. Him batting forth makes a lot, a lot of sense. You have Schwabber with the home run threat early, their home run or a walk, it seems like. Trey can be the second lead-off guy. If they happen to go one, two, three,

then Lazardo is, or a rise is leading off the next inning. That's not the worst thing in the world. I hope that battingly keeps it this way. I hope maddenly keeps it this way. I want him batting fourth. I think it makes a lot of sense. And just when you think as a pitcher, you're through Bryce and you thought, ah, nice, bum's going up.

It is now Louisa Rise. And for one night, it looked pretty dang good. The other guy that looked pretty dang good tonight, the second biggest take with the game, is Jesus Lazzardo, who was just in command the entire night, set the tone. Madeline said that after the game. What an eight pitch first inning, seven strikeouts, eight innings, Didn't even throw 100 pitches efficient. And that's a Nationals offense.

Now, without James Wood and Louise Garcia, they will not end the year where they are offensive rank-wise. But it's still no pushover. I mean, they've done some damage with some of their pieces. And Lazardo was just in total complete control tonight. His last 15 starts, he's got 2.23 ERA. 107 strikeouts and 93 innings. He is, it's a shame. the Marlin Star happened because he was great in that one as well.

It fell apart there in the end. And if he had the bullpen upgrades they have now, he's out of that game earlier. They probably win that game. But nevertheless, he was dominant tonight. 215-592-94-94 to get in and react to what was a great, great night down at Citizens Bank Park. Justin's in West Philly. What's happening?

Justin. Hey, Jack. I got back from the game. That was a beautiful night. You were asking about the crowd. I got to say the crowd was tremendous. Everyone knew immediately that we're doing a standing O. And when he got a hit, again, standing ovation, it was very exciting.

It was just, it was a beautiful game, beautiful night. And I love seeing his pitch. So it was wonderful having him pitched at a gem. But a question for you, if you'll allow me. I was listening to one of the Phillies podcasts, and someone mentioned that the idea that Harper playing right field, a position that maybe he feels a little bit more natural in, maybe he requires a little bit less thought, would maybe allow him to focus a little bit more on hitting. Do you think there's anything? Any credence to that?

Yeah, I mean, obviously you don't have to do much thinking over there in right field. It's certainly a lot less reactionary. Yeah, you don't have to worry about holding a guy and you don't have to worry about someone ripping a ball 110 miles an hour right at you. So you can definitely check out in a way. The only thing with that, and it's not a bad theory, it definitely is you worry about him running around more out there, possibly tiring the legs out. I think that's why they don't want him out there long term

because a 33-year-old outfielder, you know, and in today's game, I feel you just don't see it as much. So I think my only fear with it is him moving more. Maybe he loses some juice in his legs, and I hope that doesn't happen. But I think that's one thing that could backfire with him being out there. Sure. That makes sense. Yes, that's all I got.

Just a beautiful night. Crowds did great. Yeah. Appreciate it, Justin, and safe travels on your way home. Aaron is in West DeFord. What's happening, eh? Hey, Jack. Great to hear you.

Thank you so much for having me. me, you're the man. But I wanted to ask you because I was looked at Billion Savant page. Nice. A lot of red. A lot of red. Lot of red.

We're Redsman. I live in the afternoon, or the midday. We're Redsman. Oh, yeah? Listen, if there's red on baseball savon page, I need them. I need them. I saw your tweet about Totham. Come on now.

Come on. He can help them. Yeah. Yeah. But so I also wanted to ask you because the thing I thought about Alex McFarland was what you thought. Okay, dealing with the deadline, get an arm back, approve an MLB. Did not happen.

Yeah. So do you think there's a hunter to play? 101 will play. No doubt. Unless you name Seth Johnson. Yeah. Well, thank God he's in another stratosphere. But you think he'll make a stretch run when a roster expand, maybe bring him up a little

bit because it doesn't look like gaugewood's coming unfortunately which I would love to see but it does not look like it at the moment yeah and I appreciate the phone call Aaron the the McFarland thing um is

you need a long man now in baseball you need someone that's going to pitch in in mop-up duty so as it stands right now I mean sugar can be that guy with Maza here he can be that first lefty.

If you use Rayleigh more, use Alvarado more. Having three lefties, believe it or not, I never ran a team. But I think having three lefties in your bullpen is probably a good idea in this day and age. So I think if you're the Phillies, knowing that Schubert is kind of your long man slash mop-up guy, whether you're up big or down big, it makes more sense to have McFarlane keep getting reps as a late inning guy because you probably won't need them, you know, unless there's an injury or Kirkring falters, I don't know. But if it's the sugar roll or closing at Lehigh Valley, I think I'd rather have McFarland closing at Lehigh Valley. The rosters do expand to 28 in September,

so maybe that's when you can see him be brought up. I wouldn't rule out gauge, but I also wouldn't be banking on it. I think he started to slow down a little bit at, at, at AA. He has pitched, I think, what, 20, 20, almost 30 more innings than he did it in his career at Arkansas. And he always starts pretty well, and then it kind of cools off as the start goes on. So we'll see. I mean, maybe if Gage, maybe Gage could be an option if Painter falters again, but I still think that's Ron Hale or Keller first before they would pull the Gage thing and bring him up. But I think McFarland is doing a great job. at AAA, and I'm fine with him getting reps there, especially over a long man-type situation

in Chase Sugar. On the other side, we'll get to the wow moment of the game and some other thoughts from tonight as well. All that's coming up next here on the final out on Sports Radio 94 WIP. The pitch, swung on line to left center field. It's down for a base hit. Turner's around third. He's going to score, and Luis Arise.

with a big fist pop, pounds his chest, shouting back into Philly's dugout, he's given him a 1-0 lead. Welcome to town. Welcome to town indeed. Buzz, I think, if I could predict

what the headline and the newspapers would be tomorrow, I would bet on it being all a rise. Come on. Oh, man, that ain't bad. That ain't bad. That ain't bad.

I'll put up my Venmo. Can I say actually, speaking of his name that I've been, I think, would you agree with this pleasantly surprised that his name hasn't been like totally butchered over the last 24 hours? Yet. Yeah. We'll see. We'll see. We've had some, some just nasty work with some of these names around here. But I agree.

So far, so good with Louie's eyes. Someone had a bad pronunciation. Yesterday. But we let that one slip. For the most part, it seems like everyone's locked in on Luis Arise, which is very, very powerful. I think we're getting slightly more educated as a city. This might be progress. Look at us. Look at us. We're accepting of a slap hitting second basement hitting fourth. It's leading an average. The strikeout leader is hitting lead off.

He's reminiscent of a time gone by. What an evolution. What an evolution. The Arise hit was our wow moment of the game brought to by the New Jersey Division of Travelling. and tourism from waterfalls the fairways mountain resorts to lighthouse tourists find your wow at visit nj dot com again wasn't the most all-inspiring hit but or or even most ethical hit but it was a louisa rides hit who is now our guy and i i like him batting forth and i love the the emotion the fire in the box fowling off pitches you know just being a pest and you know getting into a good hitters count taking advantage of it and

moving those ducks around. Do you hear the stat about him with runners in scoring position? What's he in 382? Well, and it's the best batting average with runners and scoring position in like the history of the game, at least since 1970 better than Tony Gwyn, better than Rod Carew.

Wow. So three years, 45 million at the end of the year? Come on. For all those people who hate him hitting cleanup. The guy hits well guys on base. That's our cleanup better. Jordan is in Princeton. What's happening, Jay? What's up, Jack? How are you?

What a day? What a... Did you go down tonight? Did you go down? I did go down tonight. I did. I met some friends. Our sons hung out. It was a lovely evening. And I just couldn't feel more positive. Honestly, feeling pretty negative over the last couple of weeks about my baseball team. And just to walk in there and right away, we got a rise, making a contribution to this team a significant contribution with a hit and an RBI off the bat with Turner getting hits it really gave a very different feel you know but then I also watch Bome completely missed that ball up the line early on in the gate too and I just I'm wondering tonight is this the best defensive alignment and that's what I'm is this the right defensive

alignment should we consider putting these pieces together especially the infield pieces in a different way. Well, I think they're going to, I think if Bone continues to struggle and Brian Dale Cruz continues to hit, maybe then, I think at least against left-handed pitching, you got to consider putting Harper it, or no, against, against right-handed pitching. No, what am I thinking? Against right-handed pitching. But, like, putting, uh,

with Hill against lefties is going to be out there in center. You know, Brian Dela Cruz, they could configure this thing in a way. But I don't think they're going to do the, you know, everyone's been talking about move trade to the outfield. That clearly is not happening right now. I think they're going to give this a shot for a little bit. I also don't think that Bryce is going to play every single day out there in right field. I think that, like I mentioned last.

segment. I do think him moving around more out there could lead to more injuries, more wear and tear, and that's obviously not good for the Phillies. And he very emphatically said that, hey, this is a two-month thing. So, yeah, I think that maybe if Bome continues to struggle, there could be some kind of path there, but at least for the time being, I think they're going to give this some runway. And it's one of those things where you just have to hope that they can out-hit their defensive mistakes. I mean, that's a, it's a Browski staple. You know, horses in the rotation, a powerful closer, an offense that usually rakes, but doesn't have the best defense. Like, that is, that is a Dave Dembrowski team to a T, and this team is starting to really take shape from that standpoint.

Speaking of some other things that stuck out tonight, Trey with a big night at the dish, he's hitting like 323 with a slugging percentage of almost 600. in his last 15 games. Now, the one thing that I did notice is it was two outs and Harper just got out, Trey's on first base, and it rises up. That's got to be a situation where Trey is moving. Trey has to be running in a situation like that, whether it's, God forbid, a hit and run. I mean, a rise is so good with back control that he should be able to find a hole.

And he ended up grounding out right in second basement. If Trey's going there, that's probably a base hit. Maybe not because it's the shortstop covering. But I don't know. I just with the way they trade not running when Schwerpard Harper are up, I understand. A rise is not the power threat that those guys are. So I want to see Trey moving if that's another scenario. Even one out.

I don't care. Get moving. Put pressure on the defense. Let it rise is bad control. Work to your advantage. Really interesting, Donnie. pulling Bryce from the game in the 9th. I know the last right-fielder, last full-time right-fielder,

that was an issue when he was pulled late in the game for defensive purposes. But I think that the former right-fielder was just a little bit sensitive. And maybe his baseball fate was staring him in the face and he didn't like it. And he took it out on poor Rob Thompson. But... Got to remember this manager carried the stick, too. So that does change things. He played the game.

he gets it but if i'm bryce i just hit it's 5 nothing in the 9th i get off my feet for an inning cool you know i and it seems like that's the way that bryce talks about it after the game he's not gonna i'd be shocked if he had an issue with this so uh but i was very uh positive like uh it was very very very notable and interesting that night one he he tried it and we'll see if he does it going forward, but I also don't think that Bryce is going to cause some big stink about this. I think he's fine getting off his feet. Killian is definitely an interesting bullpen piece. I did like that he came in, and it's clear he has pretty good command of his fastball. Now, relievers, you never feel like they always have the best command of their fastball.

But I felt like against left-hand hitters, he's able to get that fastball and ride it up under their hands a little bit, which is obviously really tough for those guys to hit. I don't love that knuckle curve ball. You know, I think that Caleb Cotham is someone who loves teaching the sweeper. I think he's going to, he's probably going to adopt the sweeper. I mean, I think that there's some, there's a lot to work with there with Killian. I feel like he could learn to cutter if he wanted to get in on lefties. I think that there is a clear path to a splitter if he wanted.

Now, it's forcing him already cuts naturally a little bit. I'm just saying if he wants a little bit more pronounced. It could just be a slider, which he did throw a slider tonight. and he certainly seemed to live more up in the zone than the not. But getting that guy for five more years of control, and I don't think he has options left, but five years of control, is a part of that deal. Losing Ramon Marquez, like, it hurt.

I think he's going to be a really, really good pitcher for the Giants, and especially in that ballpark. And for it being a half-season of a rise, getting a guy who could be a potential bullpen piece for you for the foreseeable future doesn't hurt either. And hopefully this does end in a rise playing well enough to earn a contract extension and being a part of this thing for a little bit more. So you give up a guy who has a really high ceiling in Ramon Marquez, but at least that you would keep a rise around for a little bit. But Killian was interesting. And it feels bowlingish. You know, the Phillies,

it's funny, they're more under the radar acquisitions. And whoever is, like that's, I don't think that's Dave. I think that is someone in the, you know, player acquisition side, probably the, the analytics department, you know, finding something. You know, Derek Hill, they crushed that trade. This Killian trade, crushed, or not crushed it, we don't need to go that far. But at least some interesting traits and a lot of red on his savant. And obviously, the Boland trade. Matt Strachan was DFAid today.

They traded Matt Strom for John the Boland. Strom was DFA'd, and Bolin, again, a lot of red on his savant, has turned into this team's eighth inning guy in half a season. So whoever is the one making the under the radar acquisitions, who I think that was what Ani Colombe used to do, who left us offseason for the nationals, whoever's doing that job, I think they're starting to find some interesting diamonds in the rough. Hill, Bolin, this guy. I'm excited to see what they do with Colby Thomas, who they acquired yesterday for Seth Johnson, who reeked.

So Colby Thomas, the wrap on him can strike out, but also has pretty stupid power. So we'll see if they can tap in and find more game power and hopefully not be a waste with the strikeout. But still, it's an interesting dart to throw at a dartboard, and we'll see if anything can kind of come of it. The last thing I want to point out is, like, Arise should be good for a guy like Justin Crawford. I hope Crawford is just glued to Arise's hip because that's what he should be, you know? That is what he should be and could be, and we'll see what he ends up turning out to be. But at least for one night, he did start peppering the five, six hole and uses speed a little bit. I mean, a rise, a rise should be good for him.

Stott as well. If they get, if those three can turn into pests, Stott has been a pest, I want to say like the last week. Good, another good, you know, base hit tonight or double tonight. But like those three are the ones that I think Arise should benefit because they're, they're somewhat similar. 2.15, 5992, 94, 94 to get in on the other side. We'll get to the player of the game and a look ahead to tomorrow.

All that's come up next here on the final out on Sports Radio 94 WIPA. Here's the pitch. And a breaking ball, bounced to second. A rise feels it, knee high, throws to first, and Jesus Luzardo puts his own stamp on this one. Eight shutout innings tonight from the left-hander. And he heads to the dugout with the Phillies in command. They lead the nationals five-the-nothing. Yes, lost in all the hoop lot tonight was Jesus Lazzardo.

shoving again, rebounding off his last start, bouncing back. And finally, I think it's safe to say, is figured out his home woes. I mean, before I think three starts ago, his home ERA was in the sixes, and his road ERA was 1.3 something. That changed with the Marlin start. But it's, you know, been much, much, much better on the road than he has been home. And it does seem like he has fixed his home woes. as

I mean I'd still take Wheeler you know Sanchez has been has been good but has been as good as his 50 and two-thirds scoreless streak

I mean we always talk about those two and we're always like ah Lazardo Lazzardo Lazzardo is right there with those guys he's right there with those guys he wouldn't start a playoff game over them

but he's he's just as good or are almost as good as those guys. If you may pick Sanchez-Lozardo right now, I'm like a little Lazzardo. I would still say Wheeler is the ace, because I trust him, and he's got big game field to him.

It's nice to see him bounce back on that Oriol start for the two innings, but the velocity being back up out was really important. Lazzardo is money, he's nails, his upside is obviously tremendous. He has his stinkers. But when he gets in a roll, he's a problem. That sweeper is one of the best pitches in baseball.

The final out of sponsored by the Philadelphia Park Authority offering Valley Park at Philadelphia Airport. Jack Fritz hanging out with you for the next couple minutes before handing things off to, is it a TK spot? TK spot. Never a doubt. Never a doubt. And yes, Zeus was my player of the game,

which is brought you by South Jersey, Gass, make the smart play. save energy and money with South Jersey gas at SJG saveenergy.com. Pat's in Hanover. What's happening, Pat? Hey, Fritzie, all arise, baby. What a great game.

All arise. Put it in the newspapers. You got it. Hey, my son and I were down there tonight and on our way home. And, man, we couldn't ask for anything more from this guy and the rest of the team. I mean, what a great game.

Zeus was dealing. Harper making the plays out in the right field of that first play of the game, he looked a little bit awkward, but he got it done and made the plays out there. But this guy's at bat's are exactly what we've been looking for for how many years now. He's up there and he's so confident he's going to make contact and get a hit. At one point, the first pitch of his at bat, he's, I swear he stared at the pitcher's eyes and didn't even watch the ball. He just took it, whether it was a ball or strike, it didn't even seem like it mattered to him.

Yeah, I mean, he trusts himself so much at the dish. It's crazy. I mean, it was two strikes. He's perfectly comfortable. I mean, he's struck out, what, less times this year than, like, five Phillies have this month? It's wild. Right, right. 20 strikeouts, I think, for the years.

It was a small ball tonight, the things we've been looking for forever. He even tried to lay down a bun for a base hit. Didn't love that one. Didn't love that one, but still, yeah. That was great. It was awesome, man. Fun time. What a great game.

We're looking for some great things to come. Yeah, I hope so, Pat, and safe travels on your way home. I didn't love the bun attempt. Be honest with you. I didn't love the bun attempt, but that's our guy now. So we got to live with little stuff like that. And again, I'm coming through anyway, so it's okay. Tomorrow, big, big, big, big, big test as Andrew Painter takes the mound versus

Jake Irvin. Obviously, Painter is not facing the same Nationals team that would have, you know, James Wood in it and Louis Garcia. So they are a little bit depleted. But, you know, I still think they do have some talent on, on the offensive side. And the Phillies are making a pretty big bet on Painter. I don't think this was their, I don't think this was their most, like the thing that they were planning on. But it ended up being their best option. You know, Dombrowski essentially said that, it wasn't worth going getting another fifth starter for what was cost when we felt as if painter could just come up and and do the job and his last two starts in triple a looked good his obviously start against the Orioles looked good he certainly seems like he is way more of the mindset of grip it and rip it and throw it to a spot and try to throw it as hard as you can and have conviction and have confidence in your pitches which he he needs i thought the sweeper looked really good at his last time out. I think he threw that pitch more than any of his other pitches. And he is certainly not a guy that is going to, you know, live with his fastball and just

eat with his fastball. He's going to have to sneak it up on guys. And against the Orioles, it was a good plan. And it worked. We'll see what the nationals have in store for him for him tomorrow night. But the Phillies are making a pretty big bet. And it seems like they're ready to give him the ball every fifth day. I worry a bit about fatigue as September rolls around. We're trying to chase down the Braves or make a wildcard spot, but, you know, if he can't do it, it gets a little dicey because then you're getting into the Allen Ron Hells and, you know, Brian Kellers and break glass in case of an emergency. Gage Wood, Chuck King's been throwing pretty well for AAA for Lehigh Valley. So hopefully Painter can just come up and stabilize that spot. And him and Nola, we don't have to worry every time.

every turn through the rotation that they're going to be out there in three innings and we're going to grind our bullpen into the ground. So big start for Andrew Painter tomorrow. Looking forward to it. I will have you for the final out tomorrow. Of course, the afternoon show will lead you into the game as well. So looking forward to that. Buzz produced the program tonight.

Tom Kelly is next. He will take you through the rest of the night here on Sports Radio 94. WIP.