High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Now That's More Like It!

Episode Date: April 29, 2026

The Philadelphia Phillies kicked-off Don Mattingly's tenure as interim manager with a 7-0 win over the Giants. Jack Fritz reacts to the victory and everything else that went down on a busy Tuesday for the Phils. 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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a rabbit say yo chill but laura shopped on amazon and saved on cleaning spray countertop wipes and fly traps hey fruit flies your baby boom ends here save the everyday with amazon well that's more like it welcome on in it is the final out sponsored by the philadelphia parking authority jack fritz hanging out with you here on this tuesday night reacting to a philly's win yes a Phillies win in Don Maddenley's debut. A just whirlwind day down at CVP. A lot of news, a lot of things going on. Obviously, big news of the day.

Rob Thompson no longer the Phillies manager. I think the players were certainly bummed about it. Understood that it was on them and went out there and responded. I don't know why Rob Thompson didn't tell them to hit the ball, pitch better, field, run the base as well. I don't know why he didn't try that earlier, but I guess Don Maddenly had to get in there and show these guys how to play baseball the right way. 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. A Roto Router, your MVP for plumbing solutions. We are back to 215-592-94. For those of you that missed it, yes. yesterday, the phones died during our show again in the afternoon. So it's no longer 888, 7-2-944. It is now 215-592-94-94.

If you are on your way home, stuck in traffic, or watch this one from your couch like I did. We'd love to hear from you as well. Speaking of that real quick, I know that Topper said he's going to watch the game tonight. If I know Rob Thompson, like I think I know Rob Thompson, he definitely let out a chuckle. He had to have let out a couple of chuckles tonight.

I don't think he'd be the one throwing the phone or the remote at the TV. I'm like, you idiots. You know, where's this been all year? I think Rob Thompson is probably sitting there watching the game being like, of course. Of course. They do it for tonight. And it was certainly a good win and one that hopefully they can carry over to tomorrow and start riding this ship.

That is what they have to do. they have to write the ship. The biggest takeaways of the game, brought to you by Morgan and Morgan, America's largest injury law firm. And listen, biggest takeaway of the game for me is that that is how they were designed to play.

I mean, that is how that this team was designed to play. Now, they did not launch a home run, but they finally slugged a little bit. They hit some doubles, which was good to see. But the stars were the stars. Top of the lineup did their thing. Trey Turner had four hits. It was funny seeing Tray just, of course, right?

He's been brutal this year. I mean, absolutely brutal. And then tonight just flip the switch. There's 2025 Trey Turner. It wasn't ripping the baseball all over the field, but it was base hits. It was keeping the train moving, beating out an infield single. That's what he did, you know, last year.

Schwabre is definitely, I mean, he's certainly going through. a rut looks like he's in between pitches and stuff like that. But worked a walk tonight. And then Bryce is good. Bryce had two hits, had the big double. Even Adoles Garcia. Adoli Garcia with the big double and a walk. So that was good to see as well.

But that is how they were designed. I mean, this is what they were supposed to be. Is a great starting staff. Lizardo, huge, huge start. I mean, the only way that they are really going to turn this thing around is if the starting pitching, goes on a run. And they have the ability to do it.

We know that. And Lazardo is certainly one of the guys that can do it. And he had just been all over the place this year. I mean, the first two winnings, brilliant, fall apart after that. I mean, the numbers with the runners in scoring

position were terrible. But tonight really did his thing and got this thing. They're not going to go on a run. unless the starting pitching does their job. And that's been the biggest disappointment so far of this season for me is the starting staff. Lazzardo, not taking the step forward we expected. Sanchez, not as good as last year.

Still really good, but not as dominant. Wheeler coming back was a huge lift, painter up and down, but he's a rookie, and then Nola has been infuriating. And this is going to be a long final four years of that deal most likely. but Lazzardo has to do his thing Sanchez has to do his thing Wheeler being able to come back and look like Wheeler was huge

Painter's going to kind of have his moments and Noah can't be what he's been outside of the Colorado start so far this year but Lazzar tonight was absolutely brilliant and you know the one thing that I thought was was impressive is they actually grinded out a starter

now it was only one run early. They did finally blow the game open off Malley. Late. And, I mean, he was at 85, 86 pitches and five innings. That's good. I actually thought against Sale.

They did a pretty good job of grinding him down a little bit. They didn't do much. You know, Bryce struck out with the bases loaded. That was annoying. And they weren't able to kind of make some hay in that game. But they grinded out of starter in that game. I want to see this lineup. truly actually, instead of talking about grinding out starters, I want to see them actually do it,

actually do it, because they have some guys that should, should be able to do it. So I thought that was really good to see tonight. Five for 11 with runners in the scoring position, I mean, it was truly, truly everything that you would have wanted to see from a team trying to snap out of this thing who got their manager fired today and a guy that they all really liked and appreciated. And they got him fired today. Those guys did. And to see them come out tonight, play the way that we know they can play. Hopefully this is just the beginning of getting back into this thing. I don't know if they're going to win the World Series. I would be shocked if they did. They're not this bad. They can't be

this bad. And I really, really just don't want to go through a summer where we don't have fun competitive baseball. I think Madeline talked earlier today about how he was nine and a half games out with the Dodgers back in 2013. And this is not the same Dodgers team they are now. And now they had talent, but it wasn't what this mega super team, whatever they are, is. It was 2013 Dodgers where they still had some dignity. But he said that they're nine, they're not. and a half games out and they ended up winning the division by 11. It is early. Part of the reason why they did this now is to snap them out of it early and see if this would

work and get a different voice in there. And really, by doing it early, now I think that the Alex Cora thing accelerated the whole process, but by doing it now, it gives them plenty of runway to up until the trade deadline where they can finally determine, was it the manager, was it the players, do we just not have it this year? And by doing it earlier, then I think most people expected, and I think that Dave Dobrowski expected, they're going to get a lot of answers leading up to what could be a really,

really important trade deadline for the future of this team. And hopefully they're in a position to be able to buy, but we are ways away from that. And at least for one night, they certainly looked the part. 215-5-92-94 to get in on the final out. Coming up on the other side, we'll get to the player at the game and some things I like from Don Maddenly tonight.

It was only one game. You don't need to freak out, but there was some things that I did like from the new skipper tonight, and we'll get to that. Come on them next here on the final out, on Sports Radio 94WIPA. Hey, Ontario, come on down to BetMGM Casino and see what our newest exclusive the Price's Right Fortune Pick has to offer. Don't miss out. Play exciting casino games based on the iconic game show only at BetmGM.

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Jack Pritz hanging out with you on this Tuesday night. So I thought Lazzardo, I think the thing that separated him tonight, in my opinion, well, there's a couple things. One, the command was much better. I thought he was aggressive. I didn't think he was passive. and I think the one pitch, him having a good feel for a change-up really changes things for him because it gets hitters off his fastball

and allows him to not have to use his sweeper. He uses his sweeper to go and get punch-outs. I don't love when he has to use it to get strikes because it does have feel for one of his pitches. When I think he has feel for his change-up, it just allows everything else to work. work and it gives the hitters a different look off of the fastball. So I thought the last couple starts, he hasn't had a feel for the changeup.

It's kind of just been, it's been like 87, 88. I thought tonight it was a little bit, the velocity's off a little bit. I think they got the movement back and it wasn't just like tumbling up there but not moving too much. Like when his change up is just kind of not having much action to it, it's 88, just not a very good pitch. When he can throw at 86 and it has some dive to it, it's a really good, it's a really good weapon for him. You know, and in spring training, he had it, his last two starts, and then to start the year in Colorado, he was really good with it, but I just haven't felt like it's advanced

where it needs to be to really complete his arsenal. And, and tonight, I thought that was the big pitch that allowed him to generate the swing and miss, to get the hitters off the fastball, to, hey, it's 2-1, which is a fastball count. Here's a change-up. So that pitch being able to be something that he could rely upon, really, I think, set him up for success tonight. But, you know, they're going to need more of that. And Lissardo immediately after signing a five-year, $135 million deal,

pitching to the worst ERA amongst qualified starters in baseball is not at all what you wanted to see. Now, all the things under the hood looked fine. Stop was up, velocity was up. There wasn't much concern from that standpoint, but he do have to get results as well. So I thought he was, I thought he was really good. Now, speaking of Lazzardo, you know,

one of the things that I noticed about Don Maddenly tonight and one that I thought was interesting and frankly, refreshing. I think the one word I've kind of felt about Don Maddenly today has been refreshing. Now, listen, I think Rob Thompson was a very, very good manager that has done a lot of winning here. It's honestly just one of those things where you've heard it over and over again, and you were losing at the beginning of the year, so you become tired of it. It's kind of like hearing Bryson Stott's walk-up song when he's hitting as bad as he is. You're like, God, just change it, and he finally did.

I think Boma changed his walk-up song tonight. too. Ah, this is getting exciting. Boom, ripped a ball off the wall as well. Wow. Wow. Wow. Might be back. But just talking before the game and I guess J.T. said his message was take this personal. It's us against the world.

And Maddly saying that, you know, we didn't get here. We're in this spot. Not because we're unlucky. We just haven't played good baseball. Little things like that, I tell you what, rather than just hearing we got a good club and things of that nature, it was refreshing to hear we're not just unlucky. We're not playing good baseball, which I'm sure Thompson said things like that. But I don't know. It was nice hearing a different delivery of what is essentially the same message.

And it did make me legitimately feel better. I think that they have been unlucky. There's been a million bleeders that have fallen this year, and we've all kind of felt that. But they've also been bad at the same time, and I'm glad that he's acknowledging that. So, I don't know. I think one of the things I would say about Magnally's first day on the job

is there's a little bit of refreshing to listening to him talking a way. But I also thought the way that he managed the bullpen was interesting and kind of refreshing as well because I think the old adage on Don Maddenly has been he'll kind of just leave his starters out there, old school, dude cares about third or fourth time through the lineup. He just, if you're pitching well, you're staying out there. Well, I thought what he did tonight was smart with Lazzardo, who was cruising, pitching very well. But this is also a guy who has not had a very good start to the season. and you want this to be a confidence builder for him.

So sure, he could have gone out there. Maybe he gives you eight. And he leaves a start feeling even better about himself. But this is a guy that needs to build confidence. I think he's a confidence pitcher. I think when he gets on a roll, he can rattle off a bunch of good starts in a row. And I think that that's kind of something that he needs, is a confidence boost.

You doesn't need to go out there at a 5-0-0 game with a bullpen that it's not like it's been... Some of the lower-level guys have been taxed, but the higher-leverage guys have not been taxed. You have 5-0-0 lead.

You handed over to them. Lazzardo has blown up late in games. You get them out of there. And you hand it over to a bullpen that hasn't been overworked, at least with your real guys out there. And I thought it was interesting. At one point,

Maddenly had, like, three guys warming up. He had Kirkering ready to go. He had Bacchus just in case the lefties were up. He had Bolin as another righty option. So it was good to see, hey, if this does happen to blow up, I got a bunch of guys ready to go. I thought that Friday night in Atlanta where painters in there in the sixth and Thompson goes one inning too long with him, trust him a little bit too. much, doesn't have Kyle Backus up ready to face Michael Harris, who I'm sure they weren't expecting to be able to play, but at the same time, you know, I think we could feel Andrew Painter that that start was teetering a little bit, and it would have been a good time to get him out of there.

I thought it was, again, refreshing that Madeline had three guys. It might have been over-overkill, but at least there was the plan in case lefties come up in a big spot and also on the two-run game instead of scrambling out there. So I thought that was interesting. I do think his main motive was probably to have Lazardo exit the game feeling very confident rather than pushing it one inning too far and all of a sudden it may blow up in his face and in all confidence might be shot. So overall, a good night for Don Madderly.

first game as Philly's manager. On the other side, we'll look ahead to tomorrow, get to the wow moment of the game, and a possible injury situation that I am certainly monitoring. All that's coming next on the final out on Sports Radio 94WIPA. There's more to life than finding the perfect car, but finding the perfect car can help you get the most out of life, like the SUV that handles everything from drop off to off road, and the car that hulls groceries and hockey teams, or the van. that's gone from just practical to practically family.

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Welcome back. It is the final out, sponsored by the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Jack Pritz hanging out with you here on this Tuesday night reacting yes to a Phillies win. Philly's win 7-0. This is how it was supposed to go. Now, a lot of time left. Only nine games under 500. But good to get this one in the win column and hopefully they can carry it over tomorrow. Yes, that Adoli's double was the wow moment of the game brought to you by the New Jersey. Division of Travel and Tourism, from Waterfalls to Fairways, Mountain Resorts to Lighthouse Tours, Find Your Wow at VisitNJ.com. It's been a slow build, I guess, for Adolese. You know, at the end of spring training, he was really starting to hit the ball. I think he had two home runs in the last week, and, you know, it carried over at least for the first week of the season. He was hitting the ball hard.

Wasn't hitting the ball out of the ballpark, but he's hitting the ball hard. He had the home run in Colorado that was impressive. And you were like, okay, you know, the right field defense was much appreciated, given what we used to have here. But the bat really cooled off. He wasn't hitting the ball hard at all. You know, pitchers were really jamming him inside, and he wasn't able to turn on it and pull the ball at all.

So, you know, the book was kind of out. And credit to him and credit to Kevin Long for making. an adjustment here. He went to a more open stance. Apparently, this is what it was like in 2023 for him. And since they've gone to that, he's walking a little bit more. Doesn't feel like

he's striking out as much. There's Tom Chase. He's starting to hit the ball hard again. I think he had hits in seven out of the last eight games now, which is good to see. Average hovering around 250, which you would take. You would

like to see more pop, but at the same time, would you sacrifice 30, 40 points on the average for more pop or the occasional pop and 250? We'll see. But I think overall he's looking more hitterish at the plate. He is, I mean, he's got 10 walks now. I think he walked 28 times last year and like 500-some plate appearances. So, so, like, I think we're, I think we're slowly, getting there with Adoli's. We don't want to get too over the top, but I think we're getting close to him being a good contributor for this ball club. And they need him. You know, they need someone with right-handed pop. Brandon Marsh, like if he can be solid, all of a sudden, the lineup gets a little bit longer. You know, you feel pretty good about the

top three. Tray still, you know, we'll see. But after that, you know, Marsh is really good. Apparently they're going to give him more starts against lefties coming up. and Adelis, like, in the middle of the lineup, having someone that can drive in some runs. And since he has opened his stance, looking a little bit better at the plate, pulling the ball more, not getting jammed in,

it's been good. Again, do not want to get fully ahead of ourselves on him just yet, but definitely some good signs and signs of life from Adelaus Garcia. Now he's now, Dominally set up at the game that both Brandon Marsh and Bryce and Stott seemed to be fine. I was definitely worried about Bryce and Stott after that swing. Immediately grabbed his oblique.

You never want to see hitters grab their oblique because that thing can kind of linger for a while. But after the game, Madenly said that things look okay there. But again, who knows how they wake up tomorrow, things could change. The Phillies with injury sometimes, it's like they say it's fine. And then the next day they're on the 15-day IL. So we'll see. but I certainly was worried about that. That's dot swing, and we'll see how he wakes up tomorrow,

and if he's in the lineup against Logan Webb, who hasn't been Logan Webbish so far this year. He's pitching to the sixth and seventh inning a couple times, but it's like allowing four runs or three runs. So it hasn't been as Logan Webbish as we are used to seeing. Maybe that is some World Baseball Classic, you know, Russ or whatever happening to him. So I don't know, but he has not been the same Logan Webb that we are used to seeing.

And Chris Sanchez, I mean, he's allowed the most hits in baseball this year, which is wild. I know his ERA is still like in the twos, which is encouraging. He had the second lowest ERA in baseball or in the National League heading into his last start. And obviously the cup start was not great. But it's been a lot more more hits this year. Doesn't seem like he's generating as much swing and miss. I wonder if going to the new slider grip has affected his change-up a little bit. If it has, just ditch it and go back to the good change-up, as easy as that sounds.

But, you know, this is a series where you get some of your best going. Let's write the ship here. Take care of a Giants team that is beatable. They've won their last three or four series, but still, you know, you watch them. and not many guys in that lineup strike fear. So this is one of those series where it's a get-right spot. They're in a get-right portion of the schedule. They're facing teams that so far this year have been better than them,

but talent-wise should not be better than them. And it's time to get this thing back on track. And tonight was a good start, but momentum can only be as good as the next day's starter. And they have a pretty good one on the mound tomorrow. Hopefully it doesn't go like his last start against the Giants. and his last start against the Cubs. So we shall see.

Either way, the afternoon show will be there tomorrow for leading off, and I will be with you for the final out as. Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully they can get this thing going in the right direction and salvage the season. But one team that I know did salvage season is those Philadelphia 76ers, Tom Kelly is next. He will take it through the rest of the night here on Sports Radio 94 WIPA. Rosen lasagna, medium power, 15 minutes.

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