High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Phillies Dominate Dodgers In Series Opener

Episode Date: July 10, 2024

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies 10-1 win over the Dodgers and updates us on Zack Wheeler's injury. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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or wherever you get your podcasts. Well, wasn't that more like it? Welcome on in. It is the final out. Spons sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable never looks so good. Jack Fritz hanging out with you on this Tuesday night in front of a packed ballpark with Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber returning to the lineup.

The Phillies looked like the Phillies. What a night. What a night down at Citizens Bank Park. That, obviously, is our play of the game sponsored by Mike's Amazing, the official mayo and mustard of the Phillies. Trey Turner going yard. Been ridiculous. I mean, it's been

a ridiculous little stretch here for Trey Turner since coming back from the injury. He was more singles. You're worried, like, man, is he going to let it loose here? Is he going to run a little bit? Bang! All of a sudden, he's turned it into, like, what? Five home runs in the last six games for Trey. So he is

really... I mean, if he didn't get hurt, he's in the MVP discussion. There's no doubt about it. He's been, like, 343. So teams at wagon. A lot to get into. The game wrap-up sponsored by Blazer Swiss Lubin Kravitz, the metalworking fluid specialist providing professional CNC machine cleaning,

coolant maintenance programs, and waste coolant disposal. Kravitz.online. 215-592-9494. If you're stuck in traffic on your way home, we'd love to hear from you. Or if you're like me and just sat on your couch and enjoyed this one, it was nice. You could almost kick your feet up by the fifth inning. Got a little worried with some of the stuff injury-wise,

but regardless, kick your feet up performance by the inning. Got a little worried with some of the stuff injury-wise, but regardless, that was a kick-your-feet-up performance by the Phillies tonight. And that's my biggest takeaway. I just love how they showed up to the ballpark tonight. You know, Brandon Marsh talked, I guess, to Taryn Atcher before the game. She mentioned on the broadcast tonight that she's like, do you guys really get up for these series against, I don't know, the Braves, the Dodgers, you know, the Yankees are coming to town a little bit. Some of these, I guess, more marquee teams in baseball.

And he's like, of course. Of course we get up for that. And how they showed up tonight just looked like that. Like, that's the team we watched the majority of the season. I know JT's not back, but by the way, I mean, the backup catchers for this team, I think it was Matt Gelb that said it, but the backup catchers have been like the sixth best in baseball since JT's gone out. These guys are doing their job. We'll get into Marshawn coming up here in a little bit.

But I just love how they showed up to the ballpark tonight. They took tonight seriously. It's not just a random game in July. And they've been doing that all year. They've been doing that all year where they want to send a message. Because I think this is a team that feels as if they've been disrespected by the rest of the baseball world because they haven't won the division. Even when they went to the World Series, but it was kind of a fluke run. They went on the run last year.

Had they gone back to the World Series, I'm sure that they'd be given a lot more credit than they have. But I feel like they've been viewed as this, yeah, they just get hot in October. The bank is special. And they ride that momentum as long as they can. But what they're doing this year, and even with all the injuries that they've had to deal with. Now, it hasn't been season-enders.

I know the Braves are dealing with season-enders. It's been a lot more nagging injuries. with all the injuries that they've had to deal with. Now, it hasn't been season-enders. I know the Braves are dealing with season-enders. It's been a lot more nagging injuries. But what they've done this entire year is just try to assert and say to the baseball world, no, we're one of the best teams in here. We have a high payroll. We've got a bunch of studs. We love playing together. Citizens Bank Park's amazing.

And, yeah, they're 5-5 in their last 10. They went down to Atlanta over the weekend. Atlanta's starting to play better baseball. Austin Riley's starting to hit home runs again. You know, that's worrisome because he can go on, like, a two-month stretch where he's one of the best hitters in baseball. But, you know, the Dodgers come to town. We know Shohei.

Mookie's out. They're banged up pitching-wise. Their IL, pitching-wise, is, like, the best rotation in baseball. But they're still the Dodgers. They have Their whole IL pitching-wise is the best rotation in baseball. But they're still the Dodgers. They have the second-best record in the NL. They have a high payroll. They've got studs and whatever. The Phillies showed up wanting to send a message. Tonight was

a message-sending kind of performance from the lineup, from Zach Wheeler, and from this bullpen. It was really a fun, fun night down at the ballpark. My second big takeaway, and this is our pitch count slash injury report because it does involve both, is about Zach Wheeler. And the injury report is sponsored by the Plumbers Union Local 690,

protecting the health of the nation. Visit Plumbers690.org. 76 pitches for Zach Wheeler tonight. Pulled him after five. Seems more precautionary. Now, they said he left with lower back tightness. It was like, I mean, if you were down at the ballpark, I hope you brought extra water.

It seemed awful. Like, I don't remember the humidity around here being this bad, like, last year, a year before. Maybe because I've been outside more, I guess. I don't know. But it is brutal outside. So hopefully, and Zach Wheeler, I guess, said after the game, he hopes to make his next start. That's good to hear. If he doesn't make his next start, fine. Like, give him the all-star

break if you want. That's okay. I know he doesn't do well with longer rest, but whatever. Like, getting through the season is important. But, you know, before that, I really thought Zach Wheeler was there to be the stopper, not wanting to lose three straight. And, you know, fastballs up to 98 early. And, frankly, I think it started from the first batter of the game. I mean, he goes 98, 97, 98, three pitches, three fastballs, right at Shohei Otani to get him out. Now, we love Bryce.

It seems like Otani's probably going to win the MVP, unless Bryce, again, kind of stays hot here and goes off a little bit. Like, Otani's been ridiculous. And Zach Wheeler just came out and said, yeah, you've been fine. Bang, here's three fastballs. Like, I just love that stuff. Like, that's what aces do. That's what aces do.

So, again, five innings. It felt a little precautionary. It felt like, hey, it's a hot night. We don't need to run you in the ground. We're up 9-1. Let's not push this thing any more than we have to. Bullpen, by the way, like very well rested. Tyler Phillips, you know, I think I was listening to Franski on Sunday.

And like it was a theory they could have used. Like Mercado threw 28 pitches in the first inning. They had a fully rested bullpen on Monday. Do you go through all that and just kind of piecemeal your way through it? They didn't. Mercado got lit up and it was kind of a ballgame. The bullpen

was incredibly rested. Let Wheeler do his thing. 80 pitches. Get him out there on a hot night. Everything's fine. We'll see if he makes his next start. If he does, great. If he doesn't, I don't think it's the end of the world. I don't think this is a hot night. Everything's fine. We'll see if he makes his next start. If he does, great. If he doesn't, I don't think it's the end of the world. I don't think this is a lingering issue. And the final thing before we go to the phones here, again,

215-592-9494. Is the bottom of the lineup really produced tonight? Like, really produced. Seven for nine. And, you know, Marsh had a home run late, but had some hits early. Johan Rojas had a hit, had two hits. And Rafael Marchand continues to do a great job. And I tweeted this during the game, and I just, I think we're making such a huge deal out of the backup catcher thing.

Like, everything that happens is like meltdown city. We got to keep Rafael Marchand up here. I think Rafael Marchand is a really good player. I'll be curious to see what they do at JT. Like, could Rafael Marchand do this full time? I don't know. I mean, I think he is. I think he's capable of it.

But like Garrett Stubbs is really important to this clubhouse. I don't know how else to explain this. He's really important to the clubhouse. The guys in that clubhouse obviously love him. Did he have the thing that happened last year that was supposed to be off the record with the Diamondbacks thing? Sure. But over 162 and what happens

in the postseason, guys got to be around. That kind of stuff matters. You want to make the decision in the offseason to move on from him? Okay. But Rafael Marchand is still a developing player. He's probably going to go back down to AAA. Do you really want him staying up here and playing once a week, possibly getting cold and throwing this whole thing kind of off?

I don't see really the huge upside here. He's probably going to play once a week. JT Romulo plays all the time. There's no platoon here. There's no, you know, you take three, I take three during the week. No, no, no, no, no. That's not how this works. The Garasubs is a backup catcher.

And by the way, like I mentioned earlier, overall they're the sixth best catching unit in baseball since JT's gone down. Marchand's been great. But, like, Garrett Stubbs has played a lot as well. I think he's batting, like, 250 in his last 11 games. Is he a home run threat? No, he did go second back. But, like, he's a backup catcher.

I just don't know why this turns into a meltdown about you have to get rid of Garrett Stubbs. You have to keep Marshawn here. You have to have the better player. The guy's going to be playing every day at AAA, continuing to develop. That's more important than being on the big league club playing once a week. Now, if JT's, I don't think this is going to be the case, but he's 70% coming back, and you want to keep him off his feet more than just once a week, okay, maybe there's a conversation there. You want to keep him off his feet more than just once a week,

okay, maybe there's a conversation there. You want to carry three catchers? Maybe there's a conversation there. I think we're undervaluing personally. I think we undervalue what Garrett Stubbs kind of brings to this locker room. People make fun of the Chiefs vibes officer. They make fun of the playlist. They make fun of dancing on their own. But in a clubhouse, stuff matters.

And I don't think Marshawn would be like, Marshawn seems like a great kid. But there's a bond here that has formed over the last couple of postseasons that Garrett Stubbs has been a part of. And guess what? In the postseason, they're not going to play. They're just not going to play.

So if you feel passionate about it, that's fine. I just don't see the big deal. I really don't. I think Marshawn's an upgrade as a player. Is it enough of an upgrade to talk about the clubhouse and stuff like that? I don't view it that way. 215-592-9494. Let's get it started on what was an awesome, awesome night down at the ballpark

with Dave in Maryland. What's happening, Dave? Hey, what's up, Jack? Great good message sent first night. Hopefully Sanchez can come out and kind of regain form tomorrow and get them out there. The Dodgers

staff is just their match squad what they're throwing out there so hopefully we can get at least one more in this series. Yeah, totally. I mean that Dodgers, I think I saw today it was like they have Yamamoto, they have Kershaw

they have Buellers on the IL, now Glass now. I mean up and down it. It's pretty ridiculous what they're dealing with pitching wise. The only did that annoys me about tonight's game is that we had to use four relievers and they really didn't have to use any there's there should be a penalty for using a position player if you're if you have another game in the series where the opposing manager rob thompson could say okay tomorrow night, Blake Trinan can't pitch

because you get to at least take one of their relievers out because we're without three guys tomorrow night, probably Ruiz, Soto, and Dominguez, and they're saving their bullets for tomorrow night. I think they illegally used Kike Hernandez. I think so, too. You're only allowed to do that in the eighth inning now. Yeah, I think so, too.

They were trying to discuss the rule, and maybe they kind of let it go because Kike was already in the game, and they just like, whatever. But, yeah, I really hate the position players pitching thing. I get why it happens, but it's just – and I'm not for this, but it makes me want a mercy rule. Like, it's – you're not coming back. Both teams are essentially waving the white flag. Correct.

It's over – like, for instance, like tonight. So, say, you know, one of those innings, I think, I forget who pitched after, but say Soto's inning went bad after he gave up four or five runs. You shouldn't be able to put a real pitcher back in after that. Sure. Just something. Once you go position player, you've got to stick to position player. You've got to stay with it. Something, because it just seems like tonight,

really with Dominguez throwing over, I think, over 20 pitches, Soto throwing over 20 pitches, Ruiz throwing over 20 pitches, it's hard to come in in those games, too, as those guys, when there's no adrenaline pumping, nothing, and then you start throwing a few balls. Hopefully it doesn't mean anything tomorrow, but it's an annoying part of the game. I think with

Sir Anthony, for me, I think he was surprised he was coming in the game that early. I don't think he was expecting Wheeler to get pulled, so I think that's why he looked a little bit rusty. But I'll tell you what, I continue to be impressed with the way he's pitching, man. I mean, there was a couple 99s on the outside corner that was like, wow. On the outside corner, it was impressive.

It was awesome. And Soto, I think, started to pitch well. I don't know if I'll get to the point where I totally trust Soto, but if you ask me right now, Soto or Alvarado, Soto's at least making it a conversation, which I don't think it was a month ago. Yeah, I mean, they got a lot of weapons

and hopefully they come out. Like I said, Sanchez gives them at least six tomorrow, and they can get on stone early. Schwarber hit the ball well tonight too, which is nice. For sure. Appreciate the call, Dave. 2-1-5-5-9-2, 94-94.

Yeah, the Dodgers currently, this is their IL rotation. Tyler Glass now, Yamamoto, Shohei Otani, who could forget, of course, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Bueller, and then if they needed some depth starters, they can go Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, and Emmett Sheehan. That's pretty damn good. It's pretty good. 215-592-9494 to get in.

If you're stuck in traffic, we'd love to hear from you. On the other side, we'll get to all your phone calls, plus the player of the game and another trade target that after watching tonight could make perfect sense for this team. Who is it? We'll get to that coming up next on the final out on Sports Radio 94 WIP. Hey, fantasy football owners. The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception.

Join me and James Coe as we take a deep dive into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster, wide receivers. We analyze route running, target share, and all the metrics that matter, giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers. As you prep for your draft, let us give you the coverage you need. Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Good to have Schwarz back tonight.

Didn't need to push the injury that much. You don't need to stretch a single into a double. We take the single. And it was good to see too because 28th in baseball they were with runners in scoring position with Schwarber and Harper out of the lineup. I mean, those guys have been pretty good

in those situations. I mean, Harper, I believe is still batting over 400 with runners in scoring position. And obviously Schwarber's done a really solid job of that all year, getting more base hits and stuff like that. So obviously, getting those guys back was big, but because they were one of the top three teams with runners in scoring position all year long. So the offense kind of crating from that standpoint was brutal. A lot of two out hits tonight, which again is what they were doing when the offense was humming on all cylinders. So it was very like majority of the season kind of Phil's win tonight.

You know, they don't always hit the 10 run outburst. It was good for the run differential tonight. But it was like that's what this Phillies offense has been. And obviously when they get JT back, you know, it should get even better. The player of the game sponsored by South Jersey Gas, committed to providing safe, reliable, affordable natural gas. Make the switch at southjerseygas.com slash lovemyhome. And it's Trey Turner, obviously, another big night.

And it really, that, the hamstring injury really did hold him back from having a true MVP type of season. Like, this is the kind of season that you needed to get from Trey. Now, did I need 340? No, but hitting over 300, being one of the most hit guys in baseball, having the power. By the way, he hit the two-home run game down in Atlanta, and when he went to the dugout after the first one,

he made a little, I guess, gesture toward the dugout, and apparently that was about Schwarber because Schwarberwarberg showed him something in b in bp to maybe unlock more power so is there more coming with trey i have no idea but they're getting like a peak trey turner season now he did have a bad play in the first inning with a throw you know not great with with the defense but kind of is what it is makes it a lot easier when he's doing what he is doing at the plate i mean this is what this is what he always was but kind of is what it is. It makes it a lot easier when he's doing what he is doing at the plate. I mean, this is what he always was. You know, this is what he was.

And, you know, before the ovations last year, he was not this at all, and you really saw who the real Trey Turner was post-ovations, most of the playoffs, and this whole entire season. You know, I was, like, mocked for having Trey Turner in my, like, number six on my Philly Top 11 athletes. It's like he's one of the best players in baseball. So it's good that we're having like, oh, yeah, Trey Turner is an unbelievable player kind of year. And maybe, just maybe, our midday show host won't trade him for Juan Soto this year. Or with Magic Wand.

Maybe that won't happen. Maybe that won't happen. Maybe that won't happen. Just kidding. We love Joe Giglio. I got a trade candidate I want to get to coming up here in a second that might be a perfect fit. But David does Allentown. What's happening, Dave?

Hey, how we doing? First time, long time. I just got two things. So first, I was at the game tonight. Beautiful. Atmosphere. We got excessive heat warning out here, and we got a filled-out crowd.

I mean, if that doesn't say something's going on right now, I don't really know what does. Now, did you switch beers for waters? That feels like the night where it's like, we got to start drinking more waters. It's killing us down here. I didn't go water or beer. I saw my man Johan Rojas' souvenir cup when I was waiting in line.

I had to grab one of those. That's awesome. Well, hey, good news. Rob Thompson said postgame the x-rays were negative on his wrist, so it looks like we dodged a bullet there, David. Yeah, there we go. And second thing for you. So, I mean, Soto and Sir Anthony tonight, I mean, they just did what they sort of got to do.

And, I mean, Soto's been sort of turning it on the last couple weeks, and I'd like to see Sir Anthony sort of get back to that head and ear sort of arm. And, I mean, if those two keep it up, this is a question for you. Do you prioritize more getting another heavy bullpen arm, or do you still want that heavy bat coming in from the outfield? Yeah, I appreciate the phone call, Dave, and safe travels on the way back. I'm still in the outfield mindset. Luis Robert is my

number one. He's the guy I want. The bullpen thing, I'm more of that feels like a cherry on top kind of move. I don't think Mason Miller is getting traded. Tanner Scott I would take for sure. He's a free agent at the end of the year.

He's still under two, I believe. Closes out some games. Pete Fairbanks is a guy who I really like down in Tampa. Maybe they decide to sell off some pieces. But it just doesn't feel as big of a need as adding another bat to really add some insurance to this lineup in case they have that stretch where they go cold. I look at the bullpen. Hoffman, I trust. Strom, I trust.

Kirkering, I am definitely developing a strong amount of trust in. Sir Anthony, I think people still have a shaky feeling about Sir Anthony. I don't really get that. I think sometimes he has one of those pitches that's eight feet out of the strike zone, but he's been really good for a good while now, like over a month and a half. Soto, again,

I don't think I'll ever get to the point where it's like, alright, I can kick my feet up, Gregory Soto's in. But I'd be lying if I said the results haven't been really impressive. Looks like he's throwing that slider more. I still think they've taken some miles per hour off his fastball to add some sink to it to get in on lefties. He's showing some things.

And Alvarado, I think Alvarado of the main guys, the Hoffmans, the Stroms, the Kirkings, Stranthens, he's the one that I have the most questions about because I think the stuff has just declined a little bit. We haven't really seen the 101 from him in a while. It's been more 96, 97. I think he needs, we always joke about the Phantom IL. I think he needs a little bit of a breather just to kind of get a little bit of rest.

He's pitched a lot. He's pitched deep into postseason the last two years. There's a lot of innings on that arm. So I just think that they could manage that a little bit. They've done a pretty good job of that with Matt Strom. They've, like, sat him for a week at times throughout the season. So, you know, I would, again, I would take a bullpen arm. It's just not my priority.

My priority is getting an outfielder. And the outfielder I was thinking of tonight, and I was talking in some group chats today about this, you know, Brandon Marsh is just, against righties, is a damn good player. He's a really, really good player against righties. The lefties thing is kind of what it is at this point. He really struggles against lefties. I think he's got like seven hits and 50 at-bats against lefties this year.

And his slugging percentage, I think, is still under 200. And the perfect kind of bat to go with him, if they want to do a platoon in left field with Martian and another guy and get a righty bat in here is Lane Thomas. Lane Thomas, against lefties this year, is batting.338 with a.407 OPP and a.971 OPS. So you combine Lane Thomas doing that against lefties with Brandon Marsh doing what he does against righties, and I mean, you arguably have one of the best players in the sport. So he has one more year of control after this year. I mean, given how they've kind of managed Marsh's options against lefties this year, it seems like something

that they believe in. So maybe go a whole year of Lane and Marsh is kind of a platoon option. He can play some center field. I think he's starting to heat up a little bit at the plate down there. He's like, overall, he's batting 245. Must struggle mightily against righties or just hasn't faced lefties that much. But it's definitely one to kind of think about if they do want to go the platoon route

and get, you know, Marsh out of there versus lefties. And, you know, again, if you combine those two players, you have a pretty remarkable left field option. Lane Thomas is one of the names that I was definitely thinking about. It's fun. The trade deadline really does mean something.

It's about 21 days away. It's coming up. It's going to be hot and heavy with who you want heading into it. Adam's on a cell. What's happening, Adam? Hey, how's it going, Fritzy? What's going on, man?

I just wanted to echo what you were saying. I don't know what people, people have lost the plot of what's supposed to be a baseball team if they're getting upset about the backup catcher. I mean, the backup catcher, like, that's the big hole. I mean, that's the big hole that we've got to fill on this team.

It's not a bad, it's not a loose rubber, it's a backup catcher. We've got to freak out about a backup catcher who, when JT's back plays, once a week. It doesn't compute with me. It doesn't compute with me. Let the kid develop a triple-A still or get consistent at bats. What's the point of really having him up here so that one day maybe it gives you an upgrade?

But who even knows at that point because he's been sitting all week, you know? I just feel – just deep breaths. Everyone just deep breaths about the backup catcher. Yeah, we all just need to breathe. All right, that's all. I just wanted to echo that. I just wanted to echo that. All right.

Thanks, man. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. I just – I echo that. Alright. Thanks, man. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. I just... It's... I don't know. I mean, I appreciate that we're able to have a full-on discussion about the backup catcher in Philadelphia. You know, it feels like a very Eagles

problem. Like, do we have the right backup quarterback? And here's the other truth. Like, if JT comes back, and God forbid, does get hurt, or, you know, like, yeah, if he gets hurt coming back, and for some reason it's done for the year then Marshawn's gonna be the primary catcher I just it's gonna be okay it's gonna be okay I don't think the season's not gonna end because the backup catcher I just I think that

what Stubbs brings to the clubhouse matters and I think over 162 given how guys love him in that locker room I just I think it just I think it just matters more 215-592-949 guys love him in that locker room, I just, I think it just matters more. 215-592-9494 to get in. We'll close out the phones on the other side, but look ahead tomorrow. Plus, I thought a good sign tonight at the plate for one struggling Phil. We'll get to all that coming up next on the Final Out on Sports Radio 94 WIP. Welcome back. It is the Final Out, Sports Radio 94 WIP. Welcome back. It is the final out. Sports Radio 94

WIP. Good to see Stott. First home run since May 18th. And hopefully, slowly starting to pull himself out of this. Again, I just continue to not believe he's a 240 hitter. I think he's going to end the year, hopefully

265, 270. I just think he's a better hitter than this. And I thought he put together a good at-bat later in the game. You know, it's 2-2, fouled off some pitches, looked like a classic stot at-bat. You know, I think – and there's a couple – I think in his first at-bat tonight, tried to jump on a first-pitch fastball. You know, sometimes when guys get too worked up about walking, it does kind of take them away from aggressiveness

and trying to jump on pitches. So, you know, maybe he's kind of adjusting back to how the league adjusted to him. So it was good to see him go yard there, hopefully. And he hit another ball late in the game. Yeah, it was the same at bat. It was a 2-2 count that he worked at maybe 7-8 pitches and then hit one to the wall.

I thought he looked a little bit better in the Brave series. I didn't need him batting leadoff. Now Schwarber back, maybe back down lower in the lineup. Maybe that let Stock get going here a little bit, but they need him because he's important to this team. I know that they have all the all-stars. They have, you know, Cassie has been on a pretty good run here. Centerfield, no, but I mean, Rojas at least had a good night tonight and the x-rays were negative and actually

to ross's credit i think he's looked more locked in on you know bunting and and not getting picked off bases stealing some bags and you know doing the little things well in the outfield i think all that stuff has looked better since getting back from lehigh valley offense i just i'm not really expecting much from him i guess guess you could say. Marsh, I think he's playing better. But Stott's an important piece of this lineup. He's batting fifth tonight. I think in a perfect world, it makes sense. Breaks up the righty.

Instead of going righty-righty, puts him there. A good bat on ball guy. He can get the runner in third base, I feel like, pretty consistently. I continue to believe he's not a 240 hitter. I think there's more there. It's going to take him a lot to kind of get himself out of this.

But if he can get to 265, 270, I think we'd take that. Let's go back to the phones. Matt's in Wilmington. What's happening, brother? Hey, Fritz. Long time, but got to put my two cents in. I just came back from the game. I think that may have been the hottest release game I've ever attended.

I don't know what it was, but the humidity made it so much worse tonight. It seems brutal. Yeah, it was brutal out there, and I'm glad that they pulled Zach early. I know that basically it was back tightness, but whatever the reason, don't want him overdoing it tonight. Wish I could say the same for Bryce,

but first at bat he's busted out of the box faster than he had run all season long, which was the most predictable outcome of all time coming from the IL. It was terrifying. It was. He's had him for this long. This is just the player he is, and I think that's why the city loves him so much, as ill-advised as it may be sure but um one thing i wanted to note i think we don't we as a fan base

are not realizing just how good marsh's defense is in left field so he has in left field alone he has nine defensive runs saved this season and five outfield assists after tonight that's ridiculous and considering especially considering the fact that he's not playing every day with left with the lefty uh considerations he is is a beast out there and i think that emphasizes a little bit more that yeah a platoon may make sense considering how horrible the splits are this season but from a defensive standpoint getting a center fielder that's more offensive-oriented like Luis Robert might be the smarter route to go and just keep him out there and left,

let him work with Schwarber and Kevin Long to adjust his approach to become a better batter against lefties in whatever way that may be. But at this point in the season and in his career, I want him, and I think he can be, an everyday player that isn't platooned. So I'm just hoping to see that. Yeah, me too, Matt, because I really do love Marsh, and I appreciate the phone call. And I think he's also an important piece to this clubhouse and this team

is his infectious energy. And I think he can be an everyday player. At some point, now, It's a tough balance because on one hand, it's like, well, has he been given the opportunities to do that against lefties? You could argue no, but it's also in those opportunities. It just hasn't gone well. I mean, if you want to get greedy,

you could do a Luis Robert trade and do a Lane Thomas trade. They might not lose a game the rest of the year. But that is part of the reason why I do lean more Luis Robert. And listen, we've talked about the red flags. Everyone knows the red flags. But the upside is also really real.

And him in center field and Marsh in left field, I don't know if a ball is going to fall. I mean, it's pretty ridiculous the amount of ground that those two can cover. And Marsh in center field, it's not the same. I don't think he's a bad defensive center fielder. It's just when you go from watching Johan Rojas and Christian Pache, but really Rojas

to Marsh, you just notice that there's some balls he just can't get to, whereas Johan Rojas can. In a perfect world, they can get another righty bat that mashes against lefties. I wish Rob Refsnyder was probably going to be available. The Red Sox are too good.

But whatever. There are some options out there. Either way, tomorrow night we've got Phil's on national TV. So a little bit later start, 7-15, I believe. Gavin Stone versus Chris Sanchez. Gavin Stone's a good pitcher. He's got a real nasty split change that he throws. And he's got a 2-3-6 ERA in his last seven starts.

Only went three innings his last time out, so I don't really know what that was. And Chris Sanchez looking for a bounce back. He had a lot of run after he signed that contract and then just got kind of shelled by the Cubs. So, obviously, we'd like for a nice little Chris Sanchez bounce back. Not too concerned. These guys are going to have hiccups throughout the season. It's going to happen.

But overall, I know that Wheeler said he's probably going to make his next start. If he misses it, maybe you can get Chris Sanchez on the all-star team. But either way, it doesn't really matter. What matters more is Chris Sanchez getting back on track and going out and taking down the Dodgers tomorrow night. I will actually lead you into the game with a full leading off, so that'll be fun. Plus, I'll be back post-game as well, reacting to it all. Fun

series. Hopefully it's not as hot, although I think it's going to be as hot. And hopefully we come out with a win because beating good teams is fun. And it's good to see everyone back tonight in the lineup, besides obviously JT. That's going to do it for me. Thanks for everyone that called in. Francisco Rojas produced the program tonight.

Robbie E., Rob Ellis, he'll take you through the rest of the night here on Sports Radio 94 WIP.