High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Max Kepler Lives On

Episode Date: August 6, 2025

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies win over the Orioles on Tuesday night behind a big game from Max Kepler. 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

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Rob Radford from the Baseball's and Boring Podcasts 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 and the right-hander fires and the pitch is taken for a call third strike got him looking and the Phillies have a series win over the Orioles their 11th shutout win of the season second of this homestan as they beat the owes five-the-nothing look at those fills welcome on in it is the final out jack fritz hanging out with you here on this Tuesday night

as we react to another series win by this baseball team you take out the white, you can't take out the White Sox series. It's unfortunate the White Sox series happened because it's semi it semi was caught in between

where this team has played good baseball for a good prolonged stretch. Have they reeled off eight in a row, nine in a row, No, but you know what they have done is they continue to rack up series wins. 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 leagues so you can stay in the game.

Roto Router, your MVP for plumbing solutions. 2.15-592-94 to get in. If you're leaving the ballpark, we'd love to hear from you or if you were like me. And watch one either outside or on your couch. We'd love to hear your takeaways from this one. And we're going to have to get into some truth serum from the people at the ballpark tonight here in just one second. The biggest takeaways of the game are brought to you by Morgan and Morgan, America's largest injury law firm. And there are obviously a couple things from the game tonight.

But I think overall, something I have felt about this team since the Rontrade is just a little bit extra level of juice. juice down there. And I think this team last year, when they didn't make a trade at the deadline, I thought they were deflated. I thought that they felt like they needed something at the trade deadline to help put them over the top. And when that didn't happen, it didn't feel like there was a spark to them. Well, this year, everyone in that dugout, you don't have to talk yourself into who Johan Duran is, you just know he's awesome. You just know he's awesome. You don't have to watch his every outing he has, but he is someone that guys within the game know. And when you add an arm like that and the firepower at the back end of a game and the intro and the

ballpark, there's just, they look like they have a little bit of extra pep in their step. And it looks like they're saying to themselves, it's go time. It's go time. And I know that we're all begging for them to go and get another bat at the trade deadline. I'm totally there. But at least they went out and took a big swing on a real difference maker in Durand. And I think have lifted this clubhouse up and really has them believing that, hey, Maybe that is the piece we needed to put us over the top.

Athletes are finicky. You know, you can trick them into believing almost anything. The way that they have played post-Duran move is really encouraging. And what was encouraging me out tonight wasn't all the big boppers. It wasn't Schwerber going nuts. It wasn't Harper going nuts. It was everyone besides those guys, besides the top three, they talked so much about. and it was a professional win.

Obviously, Kepler, big night, was nervous about the cycle, was 100% nervous about the cycle. Obviously, we've been on DFA watch with Max Kepler. I'm not sure how much tonight changed that, but Rob Thompson said after the game that, you know, they want him to lift the ball more and he's been making harder contact. Maybe you're trying to see results of that. It's an optimistic view of the,

Kepler situation. I was beyond annoyed that they won't just play margin left and play Bader and center and let it kind of go for a little bit. I know they promised the six game thing here. Well, what if he goes off? What if the last game, aka tonight, Kepler goes off. Is he still DFA on Friday? Who knows? Who knows? So Kepler has a big night. Maybe their faith in him is being rewarded. I wouldn't believe so, but regardless, Thompson looks like a genius, at least for one night. Now, Brandon Marsh, I feel like it hasn't been really talked about how good he's been since going 0 for April. Been hitting close to 300, driving the ball more.

Outside of Harper and Schwerber, he hits the ball the hardest on the team. When he's like this, he's a productive player. In center field, I don't think he's great. I think in left field, he's great. I think he's a great defensive left fielder. But at least at the plate, you're not seeing much expanding of the zone. You're seeing him control the strike zone much, much better. And for a nice prolonged stretch here, he's been a productive player for this team,

and it feels like it hasn't really been talked about. Another guy who's starting to slowly climb out of his slump is stodder, who believes sitting close to 300 in his long. last couple of weeks. So, you know, Stott hopefully slowly getting out of his thing. Even when he doesn't hit, he is a joy to watch second base. He is a absolute pleasure. Made a disgusting play tonight in the field. So it was nice to watch a team win that wasn't just Schwerber and Harper and those guys at the top doing their thing. It was nice seeing everyone else get on board. Now, here's where the truth serum comes in. Here's where the truth serum comes in. And when he call in,

you're going to take an oath to Buzz, because Buzz is screened the phone calls. When Marsh hit the home run tonight, were you bummed? If you were in the ballpark, now, there were some booze. I don't think we need to boo Max Lazar. I hope that Max Lazar understands that it was a sarcastic boo, and it does not need to turn into a Billy Wagner situation. It was just a joke. It was just a joke. It was just a bit. Was there a part of you when Bram Marsh hit that home run where you were like, ah, damn it.

Because it really seemed like we were about to get Duran. And the crazy part about the Duran mania that is happening is I legitimately think that people are more interesting going to the ballpark to see if this guy is going to go in the ballgame and be a part of the light show. It's crazy. You've no idea of it. he's going to pitch. You know that Bryce Harper, outside of being thrown out of

a game or being injured, he's going to bat four times a game. Kyle Schwerber, same thing. You have no idea if Duran's going to pitch, but it's the thought of not wanting to miss the show. And it's just, it's so fun to see how quickly the city got on board with

the Duran thing. So there's part of me that was like, don't pitch him in a full run game. We've got to save bullets here. Same time. It's really fun. Now, they should have booed Marsh around the bases. Exactly. That's the guy to boo, not Lazar. In this town, you know, we used to stand up for things like that.

And you booed Brian and Marsh, you don't boo Max Azar. It's not his fault. What I'm going to find interesting, we've seen the light show or whatever in a day game yet. So, I mean, 1235 star tomorrow, if Tehran has to come in, is it going to hit the same? No way. No way it hits the same. They probably shouldn't even do it. They probably shouldn't even do it.

Like, there's not going to be a light show. There's not going to be people bringing out their phones In Minnesota, I think they still played the song But they didn't do the light part of it Yeah, listen Just sit them Give someone else tonight Send him down for that one day

He doesn't play day games, not even on the roster Don't pitch him on the road Don't waste that on the road Save that for the postseason The pitch count is brought to you By the Plummers Union Local 690 Protecting the Health of the Nation Visit Plumers 690.org

83 pitches for old Taiwan tonight he he touched 94 he touched 94 miles an hour Taiwan did tonight didn't walk anyone no leadoff guys reached base so again only a couple more starts Aaron Nola starts in Lehigh Valley tomorrow so you know Taiwan will probably be going back to the bullpen but good for Taiwan going out there and and doing a job tonight against an Orioles lineup that does have still some good players in it Let's start it off with Bill in East Hampton. What's happening, Bill? Hey, how you doing, my friend?

Good. What's going on, man? Not much. I really liked what I saw tonight. You know, we have a couple of bats that are out of control. I mean, sure, was just out of control and Harper. But, I mean, we brought guys on board over the last couple of years that we needed, and we thought they were going to, maybe we eat.

even thought they would produce more lumber than they did. But, I mean, Kepler tonight, a double and a homer, you know, there was another guy hit, a double on a homer. Marcia. Yes, sorry. But I like what I saw. Like, I liked what I saw tonight. Yeah. And I think we're ready for the stretch drive.

And I think we're ready for the playoffs. But we need these guys, these more, I'm going to call them Marjor. original, you know, Kepler and Marsh. But if they produce along with Schwerver and Harper, I think will be fine because we are

sort of a, we're sort of a home run dependent team, not totally, maybe an extra base hit team, but I think we're ready to, I think we're ready to march forward here. How do you feel about that? Yeah, I appreciate the phone call, Bill. Well, the nice

part is they do the most home runs in baseball since the All-Star break, they need to hit home runs. Listen, I appreciate small ball. I think it's something that you have to have in your back pocket. I think it's a tool that you have to be able to use. I appreciate that they've done a much better job of putting the bat in the baseball this year, and we haven't seen the huge strikeout numbers. And I just think that overall, like, there is some good things with what they do offensively.

Don't strike out. I have a pretty high team average. I wouldn't say that the most. fundamentally sound on the base paths I feel like they haven't been that way since the heyday all the way back in I feel like they're just not a very good

base range team but they need to be able to hit the home run like you have to be able to do it so some good signs of that Marsh is starting to drive the ball I know that Debrowski talked about that the other day and got mocked a little bit for it

but he's up to six home runs which is which is nice and obviously Schwerber's going nuts and Harper's on a nice little power surge. So they need that stuff. You cannot win a World Series just by small-balling other teams to death. You have to be able to pop a home run, and they're certainly doing that. So, yeah, most home runs since the All-Star break, they had six home runs last night for the first time at CBP since 2017.

Buzz, how the hell of the 2017 Phillies at six home runs in a game? I mean, was it young Hoskins? Was it Altair? Probably some Franco in there. Nick Williams, did he go yards? Six home runs in the game by 20. Now, listen, for those you don't remember, the 2017 Phil's in September were a problem.

They were the team that no one wanted to face. They were frisky. So maybe he was during that stretch. And yes, Aaron Oterre. Don't get in the way McCannons, Phil's. That's right. And Aaron Alter did hit a grand slam off of Clayton Kirschall, a truly fantastic pre-this run of Phil's baseball moment.

2-15-592-924 to get in. If you were down there tonight, be honest with me. You're a little disappointed that Brandon Marsh went yard. Little disappointed he went yard. Plus, speaking of disappointment, disappointing development up in Lehigh Valley tonight, and we will get to the player of the game as well. It's the final out on Sports Radio 94 WIPA.

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with the icons, disruptors, and game changers on the field and beyond it to talk victories, heartbreaks, and everything in between. We've built a space where athletes, change makers, and people creating the future of women's sports can show up and show off as their full, unapologetic selves. Follow and listen to the Recaps show wherever you get your podcast. The pitch, swung on, hitting the air, deep right center field, going back is O'Neill, to the track, nearing the wall. jump and it is gone and Max Kepler has homered to right field it's a two-run shot it just cleared

over the high wall and right his 12th of the year and it's three nothing Phillies I mean it's nice to see I don't know like again I don't is it nice to see is it nice to see I just don't need this team being fooled by a Kepler hot trick but ultimately listen I won't what's best for the team and if he goes off he goes off i would love for him to have a hot month month and a half and he can rewrite his whole entire season i just don't believe it but tonight he is the player of the game brought you by south jersey gas conserved helping customers and the community save energy and money visit south jersey gas dot com slash conserved yes max kepler who was on cycle watch for a second he did smoke that ball in the gap i thought he was going to get down

and i thought he's going to go to the wall and i was like how is he really going to Is he going to get a triple to where he's a single short of the cycle? For a long time, David Bell ruined my life by being the last Philly to hit for the cycle. Thankfully, J.T. was able to hit for one and then eventually Weston Wilson. But really getting David Bell's name a race from the record books was huge. Had Kepler hit for the cycle? Might have been worse than David Bell. Would have been way worse.

Way worse. And knowing my luck, it would have been... Would have held for 30 years? At least 30 years. No doubt about it. it and i'd be yelling about it on wip about can someone please hit for the cycle you guys don't understand the max kepler thing so uh i will say though his post game interview and him talking about how philadelphia the booing and that's like our love language you always you always feel for guys

when you hear him talk and remember they are they are human beings no matter how frustrating it is watching them play sometimes so max kepler congratulations you are the player the game met's lose tonight it's a two and a half up on on them and if you take out i know you can't take out wins they have like a random seven game win streak you take that out 11 and 26 i you take out that seven game win streak 11 and 26 so they're going to need to find their their grimace moment they're going to need to find their omg moment they got to kick it into to gear a little bit but uh doesn't seem like the The vibe up in New York with the Mets is certainly the best. But I mentioned it last segment or the open the show.

I think the Duran trade did lift the spirits of the clubhouse. I also think it lifted the spirits of the fan base. And even like in talking to people about the Phillies now, a week ago, two weeks ago, month ago, I just feel like every time he talked about the team with people, he's so doom and gloom about, ah, the offense this, and Thompson this, and bullpen this, and just really feels like there's some wind in our sales after the Duran trade.

So, again, a move like that can re-energize a fan base, and I think it has in this case. Let's go back to the phone, 215, 5992, 94-94. usually my lead-off hitter, but late tonight, I guess, is Dave in Maryland. What's happening, Dave? Hey, what's up, Jack? He's heading home from the game. Sitting behind the dugout tonight.

I was loading up my ballpark out to try to find the light show on there. And as I, when Marsh had two strikes on him, and I look up and the ball leaves, and I will take the true theorem, and say, I wish he came in tonight because that would have been pretty cool to see a person. Yeah. You can't wish baseball karma, you know, you know, you want to wish that upon Max Lazar. And, you know, he got out of Eka came in and got the three outs right away. It didn't have to bring him in after that. But a great quality win for the team tonight.

Taiwan, another guy that had a, you know, I feel like he's, he just been deserved. He deserved tonight because, like, he's had such a rough go of it. And he really pitched well this year, honestly, and consistent for well. He was for him, and he was hit 94 tonight, which is crazy. So, you know, great quality win. I just hope they can put together a sweep and, you know, get a little roll going with the Mets losing again, you know, put some distance in between. Yeah, and I appreciate the phone call, Dave. Buzz, you mentioned it before the show.

This is the biggest lead they've had since what June he said? June 15th was the last time the Phillies had a two-and-a-half game lead in the division. It's crazy. Obviously, we're not writing the Mets off at all. it does feel like one of those races that's going to come down to the wire 49 games left I feel like I say this every year

I can't believe we're almost done I mean it's for as long as a baseball season is 162 games it felt like I was in spring training yesterday it just flies by

somewhere 49 games left in the season and we're 49 games left in the season and we're 49 games left in the season and Trey Turner still has not homered at home. It's... Even Bader did it before him. Every other offensive player on the team has done it.

I know. It's crazy. A disappointing development up in Leigh Valley tonight, four innings for Andrew Painter, five earned and four walks. So it seems like every time I check the box score with him, it's he's walking a good amount of guys, which is not traditionally been the case.

I know that people cannot wait to flood the airwaves and say, oh, should have trade him, should have trade him, should have trade him. No. Think about how good Spencer Shrider is and how good Sandy Alconja is and how established big leaguers have come back from Tommy John their first year back. They don't totally look right yet. I will give some grace to a kid who is 22 pitching in Lehigh Valley and I'll give him some time. There are things he has to work on. I think going through adversity will be good for him. I think this is the most he's ever struggled in. baseball, this kid who's dominated his entire life. So I think dealing with this is actually important. But I think at least pure pitching-wise, they have to fix that fastball. The velocity is still pretty good, but it's a super, super flat pitch. So, you know, figure out what to make the two-seamer. I don't know. That's for them to figure out. My eye test tells me that the

fastball is just not very good. Now, I didn't see the play either, but apparently Justin Crawford early in this one and made a misplay in center field. I'm just trying to prepare people. He is for as fast as he is and how good he should be out there, he's just not. He's more of a corner outfielder. Thompson said on Friday that they want him playing center field every day in Lehigh Valley because he has to learn the position.

Learn the position. He was drafted as a center fielder. His dad's a center fielder. So he just might not have centerfield instincts and might be a corner guy, which I don't know about you. Wouldn't be too excited about a corner bat that's not exactly, you know, the biggest power threat. So I guess it's, I don't know, the Crawford thing is such a conundrum. I want to see him come up here. Can't play out a big night.

Maybe that delays it. We have a six-day tryout that ends tomorrow. and then maybe going forward, it's Bader and Marsh with Kepler being a Jeff Jenkins type. I have no idea. We're all trying to figure out their plan for the six-day promise from Rob Thompson. Big win tonight, though. Five-nothing. Fills take down the Orioles on the other side.

A guy that fills need to get going and a look ahead to tomorrow plus your phone calls. It's the final out on Sports Radio 94 WIP. Marsh swings, hits it high. Deep right center. That one's on its way, and it is gone. Brandon Marsh with a solo home run, his sixth of the year, as he just clears the high Walden-Rite. Second Homer of the night for the Phillies,

and they tack on a fifth run. It's five-nothing. Playing good ball that Brandon Marsh. Welcome back. It is the final out. Jack Fritz hanging out with you. So heading into tonight, Marsh was hitting 299 with a 433 slug and almost an 800 OPS.

So after the night he'll be over 300 and we'll have an OPS over 800 since May 3rd. Again, he went 0 for April, which is hard to do. But he's played a good ball. I think that there's certainly not some kind of overwhelming trust in Brandon Marsh. But it's a pretty large sample size of playing good baseball. It's not like every player in the lineup is important. But if he's down in the 6 through 9 range and producing like that, really does help lengthen out the lineup.

And I feel like I've been slow to say how well he's playing because I don't know how much I totally believe it. But seems like a great dude. I think if he just played left field every day and you let, I know Kepler hit the home run tonight, but I hope that eventually just turns into Kepler being a piece off the bench that you can hope to maybe bring in late that can pop a home run. Marsh Bader, pretty dang good left side, if Bader's real, home run last night was good to see. But I want to see that fail before we kind of go somewhere else.

I know that we're all waiting with bated breath for Crawford, and I want to see the kid, too. I just know how it works. Again, I guess I've reached the point with Kepler where I'll believe it when I see it, you know, the, the DFAM. I still think that by August 15th, it feels like that's the date here because then Crawford gets to keep some rookie of the year stuff for next year. So again, we'll kind of see But tonight It certainly feels like we're going to get an extension Of the

The six-day promise of Like a tryout How does this work? Like Kapler gets two more series? Yeah, that's what I can't figure out Like it's the road trip, which is actually three series? Like heading into tonight Is Dombrovsky being like, all right, we're going to get one last shot

And if he home or he stays? If he stays, if not, he goes over for, But it's like we're letting these games decide. And the manager's promising, aren't you going to, like, to me it felt like an annoyed little league parent goes up to, or like travel ball parent goes up to the coach was like, I didn't pay $1,000 for this. Like, all right, right, next week, next tournament he's playing. Well, I mean, think about this too, you know, Cassiano's complains the Thompson about

being pulled as a defensive thing late in the game. It's a good managerial move. He hasn't been pulled since. in like a meaningful way. He's been pulled when they've been winning by a lot, but he hasn't been pulled in a two-run game in the ninth. So Castanois won that. Max Kepler complained about his playing time.

And while... He's still platoons, but he's still on the team. So he's playing a lot. I mean, he's still playing a lot. So it's a... Plus Thompson gave up the number to Duran. Can't forget about that. Oh, right. Elliot said that should have a sign of weakness.

But, yeah, I mean, if it's... win, it's fine. If it works for them, it's fine. But that is, those are two, two instances where players seemingly just, just kind of get their way. And when you're winning, I think it's fine, but there does have to be some. Max Kepler should not be getting his way. There are athletes in sports who, okay, fine, they're going to get their way. What does Max Kepler done to get anything his way? Well, man, it's a ten-year vet. Now, one guy that does have to get going a straight turner um you know he he's been on a prolonged slump here i know the infield hit tonight i don't know if we count that it was another offer in in my book and he's down a 280 all of a

sudden and it's a lot of those like weak pop-ups and he's swinging at a lot of first pitches now you're not seeing the chase so maybe you know the trying to jump on first pitches gets him going a little bit that's the hopeful sense but it's certainly certainly has been a lot of pop-ups, a lot of first pitches, a lot of ground balls of the third baseman. You're not seeing a ton of strikeouts. You're not seeing a ton of expanding the zone, so I guess that's good stuff. But when we talk about this lineup, we talk about those three. You talk about Turner and Chorber and Harper, like needing those guys to be great. Well, right now it's really just been two because he's not really doing much out of the leadoff

spot. Let's go to Owen and Lower Gwendo. What's happening in the O? Jack, how are you doing there? I was talking to Buzz offline, and I knew it was going to be Max Kepler's night. I think we all had that feeling, right? I was looking at the trying to find the lineups on the MLB at that afternoon. I was too early, and all they had was the matchups, and he was over 1,100 OPS against Kramer with a home run, and I said, mark my words to the people in Section 105, I said, He's going yard in his first at bat.

It was incredible because if he made it out, he'd have been below the Mendoza line. He hits the home runs. Incredible. Well, it felt like the lock of the century. I haven't complaining about it all day. Whereas Bader after he hits the home run last night. Correct.

Yep. And, you know, Thompson wins this one. Thompson wins this one. And, you know, and I felt bad for Maxwell Zarg getting booed coming in. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Now, I hope that he understands that we're just kidding. Yeah. I was there Friday night for the Duran, the first night.

And it was pretty cool being in there. But then Sunday night watching on TV, it was like, oh, my God, his stuff's incredible. 100 miles an hour, and it moves. 103? Yeah. 103. It's quite a show. And when was the last time we won three in a row?

It's been a while. Yeah, I mean, it feels like it's been an eternity. Oh, and I appreciate the phone call, and safe travels home. Just get the sweep. Let us, it's been a lot of positive momentum. You want to hopefully continue to put some space between you and the Mets. But just sweep a freaking series. Tomorrow, Trevor Rogers versus Ranger, this will be a tough one.

Trevor Rogers has been great for the Orioles this year. Last seven starts at 1.1,000. 3 ERA. Ranger's been fine, but it's been a lot more gutty outings than dominant outings. A lot of outings that kind of are reminiscent of the Mets start in the postseason last year. So, again, it's better than him going out and getting blasted, but he hasn't totally looked the same. I thought last start was a step in the right direction. We'll see if he can continue on that tomorrow at 1235. Tennis 1130 tomorrow at FDR Park.

So if you're heading down to the Phil's game, make a quick stop over and see how tennis is going. I think it's going to be fun. I'm looking forward to it. For someone who doesn't really play tennis since they were eight, I like where my game's at. So we'll see. Can you take down this to camera swing coach?

He'll probably be there tomorrow, right? I would assume so. He's had a coach at the other two. I know. I know. He's got, apparently, he's like the agacy of I think he lives in Philadelphia

but yeah the way that the cameras tennis game has been talked about I have no idea if I'm walking into a guy who knows what he's doing tomorrow but apparently it does so we will we'll see how that goes either way Phil's go for the sweep

against those Orioles tomorrow hopefully Durand does not have the pitch so that the light show doesn't get ruined by the daylight and I'm sure that Broads is just foaming at the mouth ready to talk about a beautiful 5-0 professional win by the ball club tonight. Buzz produced the program tonight. Like I said, Brods is coming up next. Enjoy that. And talk to you tomorrow after

the game. Go Phylls.