High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Phillies Drop Game 1 vs Dodgers

Episode Date: October 5, 2025

The Philadelphia Phillies dropped Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday night despite leading 3-0 through five innings. The High Hopes Podcast is LIVE from Citizens Bank Park, reacting to the gut-punch loss. 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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So the best hapice in town Might be in a new town altogether That's the powerful backing of Amex Terms and conditions apply Learn more at amex.ca.com slash yamex Yo, it is A post-game edition of the High Ops Pod, I-Ops Radio, Jack Fritz, James Seltzer

We're broadcasting live from the DeBora Heart and Lung Center broadcast booth. DeBora Heart and Lung Center, the Delaware Valley's only heart hospital, fritzy. Just a bummer tonight, man. Like, you know, I joked with you after the game. I was like, we shouldn't have to do the post game when they lose because this sucks and I don't have to do it.

And just a frustrating night here, you know, I walked in the booth and Tucker Bagley, our guy doing the YouTube for us, shout to Tucker, part of the Ipspot. Tucker was like two and eight in their last 10 postseason games. and tonight, I think, Jack, the most frustrating part, look, the Dodgers are good. We knew coming in, like, it's a tough series and all that, but it just felt so familiar, you know, the top of the lineup, about one for 14 on the night, big spots, couldn't come through with the bats, you know, Cassiano's first pitch ground out of the ninth, like, you know, a tough night for Rob Thompson,

and, you know, the Bader decision makes sense now that, you know, the hamstring injury, but on the whole, some strange decisions from Topper, just, you know, for, a night that felt the crowd brought it, it felt the energy was here and all that, and especially they got up early and, you know, just, just frittered it away, man. It felt like a missed opportunity tonight. Yeah, I mean, it was a march to a slow death, is what the middle portion of the game was. And I thought the Schwerber at bat was a huge one. Big. Not being able to come through there and get a job done and really extend the lead and step on a throat. They couldn't step on a throat. You know, there's a couple things. Offensively, they

early did a good job you scored 3 on Otani that's a win you feel good about that but they could not add onto it now I expected him to calm down and do a job and turn into Otani so that's

mostly fine I thought it was a I thought it was a brutal Thompson night brutal maybe like among his worst nights as a Philly just putting putting Robertson back out there was crazy we were sitting here together being like wait a minute what Robertson's going back really just let Strom

Strom's faced righties all year there's no need to try to get cute for no reason and he's done this crap all year where he puts a freaking guy that gets a big out back out there for another inning and it never works out and I don't understand how we're sitting here in the postseason and where this happens every single year and he keeps thinking it's going to work and it never works. It never works. He always does it and it's infuriating

because that is such an easy move and Strom's your second best reliever. He gets right he's out too. Let him just go do his job. Like I just cannot stand when a reliever gets a big out and the adrenaline is high and then it comes

down. We see it all the time with the inability to get it back up and we're year four into this and he keeps doing it he keeps doing it and tonight it could have cost him a game i bet if that's a clean inning it goes perfectly fine it goes yeah well he doesn't get to tioscar if he goes to strom earlier and strom gets out of it teoscar doesn't even get up in that inning and jack it's that much worse when you consider the situation the fact that they have an off day tomorrow and an off day after monday like your whole bullpen is in front of you they had ranger out of the pen if they wanted him like there were so many spots that you're

so many options that he could have used in that spot, and I agree, just give the inning to Strom, but bring in anybody other than bringing Robertson back out after the, like, you didn't need to. You've got your whole bullpen. You've got an off date tomorrow. Like, it just doesn't make any sense. Like, in Arizona, that Kimbril thing, at least, like, in the moment we're furious, but at least, like, he ran out of guys. He kept using guys, using guys, at least like, all right, no one left. Like, he had the entire bullpen and I jacked. Robertson was the first guy he brought out. And then he brings him back in that inning. It made no way. sense. Like none. I can't justify it. Robertson's

40 years old. We should have been ecstatic that he got out of that inning in the first place. It felt he was managing a game in the middle of the season rather than a playoff game. There was no need for it. There was absolutely no need for it. And in a game like this, when you're playing an opponent like that, you have to be so good at the little moves. There's no margin for error against the Dodgers. And we see, said it on the post game show, this was a

pregame show. By the way, it feels like that was years ago, I know. I don't know. It kind of feels like it was an hour ago. We were so happy. And then that nonsense happened. But it was like, we talked about how it was such a big, such a big Thompson series. And he was going to be

a big factor at all this. And with the off day and with the fully ready to go bullpen, not not having a feel for that moment. and putting it back out there. And I just, I, I, I, I cannot stand how it's like, well, it's this, like, the smart thing to do is just, you have so much. But I don't think it was in that case.

I don't think it was this. But in that smart things to do, bring a fresh arm back out. Like, that didn't make any sense. You have so much at your disposal. So I thought it was a bad Thompson night. Obviously, you know, it's going to be talked about a lot, but one for 11 from the top of your lineup, Schwerver with a big strikeout, trade not doing much. Harper had a nice hit.

but whatever. But had some big, you know, outs prior. Sure. Yeah, it's, it was a huge, huge, huge missed opportunity. The fans were into it all night long. They were, dude. Even when they went down, even after that to Oscar Homer, I was so proud of the fans.

Like, they didn't get tight. They didn't, like, check out. Like, the fan base was locked in. I really, it felt like after the last few games here, especially the Diamond Mac series where it's like this crowd gets tight and you can feel it and all that. I thought the crowd showed up tonight. I thought the crowd tried to lift the team up after they went down

and, you know, they just weren't able to. No, there's real belief. There's real belief in this team that they're going to be able to come back and win games. And listen, tonight sucked. Tonight 100% sucked. I don't really sit here and feel like there goes the season. No, definitely not. I don't.

I kind of had to feel that might not go our way. I think the Phillies take game too. I feel confident in their ability to take game too. And then all you got to do is split out there in L.A. and see you back here next Saturday night. Which, look, I thought they would split here. I just thought they'd win this one and lose on Monday. You know, and obviously it doesn't really matter if they can win on Monday.

But Monday, there's so much pressure on this team. And Lazzardo, you know, that's a big freaking spot. Let's get back to the top of the lineup before we kind of move on and get on the lines. 2-1-5-9-2-9-49-94-9 if we're going to take your calls coming up in a few. as we react to a 5-3 loss in game one of the NLDS. But look, the top of the lineup, I don't think we could just kind of gloss past it. And, you know, Schwerber had an MVP year, obviously, like, he's awesome. You know, he's awesome.

Harper, you know, has elevated so many times. Turner, you know, had a great year until the injury at the end and all that. But, Jack, you know, again, after last year, after the way the Diamond Mac series ended, like, there were multiple spots tonight where your big dudes had operating. opportunities to change the game. They had opportunities to swirber a bat we talked about. Like, they had spots where, you know, if your big dudes can come through, you get back in the game.

And yet again, just tough at bat, strikeouts, an inability to make anything happen. And, you know, like I think for most Phillies fans, Jack, like we talk so much going into the playoffs and, oh, what's your biggest concern, this and that, blah, blah, blah. But all year, the concern was the same, that when it matters, most of the bats wouldn't come through. And it happened again. It happened again.

Like, they had one inning where they scored runs. That was it. Like, that was it. And it was the bottom of the lineup. It was JT. the triple. You know, baited it with the sack fly. But, like, you know, we came into the series saying the top three of the Dodgers is, you know, the Hall of Famers and all that.

And like, the Phillies got to match them. But the other guys need to contribute too. But the top three, and to be fair, the Dodger, to Iosker did. It was the Oscar. Yeah. But, you know, it's just frustrating. coming in with such belief and such hope with these guys and to just see it happen again, you know?

Sure, sure, sure, sure. I know, I know, I know. I would like the stars to be the stars. I would very much appreciate if the stars could be the stars. It's just one of those ones where you didn't, you felt good. Like you just felt good for so long. And you felt like they were just hanging on. And Swarber not getting that hit or doing something in that situation.

And even, man, even the Sosa one, it was right there. I got, I still have a lot of belief in them. I just do. I'm annoyed with tonight. I'm really annoyed tonight. I'm really annoyed Thompson. If there's one guy that's got a lot of hand. Yeah, it's Topper tonight.

Topper is that actually the main. guy like yeah you gotta be better you just gotta be better this obviously it's not taking the blame off of off of the players they still got to execute for sure and also like i thought sanchise could have been better i i thought he battled himself all night i never really thought like he developed a good feel for his change up get kike out i just kiki is infuriating we talked about that before the before the series how he was going to do something annoying and There he goes. There he goes.

I just, I think a lot of the players did not meet the moment tonight. I actually think Sanchez is a part of that. I thought he was mostly good, but I think he could have been better. The top three, obviously. But the main sticking point for me is I thought that was a true, true manager malpractice by Rob Zompson. And the Bader thing, okay. Yeah, if he's hurt, he's hurt, yeah, that's whatever. But in the moment, we were sitting there being like what the bleep is happening right now.

It was infuriating. And, by the way, I mean, if Bader's really banged up. That's a problem. I know. What a catch he made earlier, too. Obviously, had the sack fly. Did a job there. Yeah, that's a concern.

All right, 215, 592, 94-94, reacting from the broadcasting live from the Deborah Hart and Lung Center broadcast boot, Deborra Heart and Lung Center. Delaware Valley's only heart hospital. It's Jack Fritz, James Heltzer, a high-hopes edition. A final out. We're going to come back. We're going to take your calls, react to a disappointing game one. Look ahead to game two later as well.

Not technically a must win, but must win on Monday night down here at this ballpark. They cannot go to L.A. down to O. All right, 2.15-92-94. Your calls. More react to the game coming up next. It's High Ops Radio. We'll be right back. by Peloton. A new era of fitness is here. Introducing the new Peloton Cross Training Tread Plus,

powered by Peloton IQ, built for breakthroughs with personalized workout plans, real-time insights, and endless ways to move. Lift with confidence, while Peloton IQ counts reps, corrects form, and tracks your progress. Let yourself run, lift, flow, and go. Explore the new Peloton cross-training tread plus at OnePeloton.ca. hit pause on whatever you're listening to and hit play on your next adventure this fall get double points on every qualified stay life's the trip make the most of it at best western visit bestwestern.com for complete terms and conditions it's high hopes radio special edition final hour broadcasting live from the debora heart and lung center broadcast booth debora heart and lung center the delaware valley's only heart hospital jack fritz james selter with you feels like we are here too often. Yeah. Oh, it used to be so fun.

It used to be the most amazing place in the world, and it has not been that. What, two and eight in their last time? It's unbelievable. It really is. It's turned in a big way, and it's a shame because it's been such a special thing. And the crowd was great tonight. It really was, man. The crowd really brought it.

Like, I really felt like the crowd was answered the bell. You know what I mean? All right. Let's get to the wrap up, sponsored by Rodo Ruder. When plumbing problems hit, wrap the. them up quick and call Rotoruder. Their team tackles, clogs and leaks so you can stay in the game. Rotorruder, your MVP for plumbing solutions, Jack, I think, you know, ought to wrap up,

obviously, and you mention it, where I think a lot of times, especially in baseball, you know, there can be decisions here and there, but a lot of times it's the players. It really is. If you don't hit, you don't hit. If you don't pitch, you don't pitch. Tonight, one of the rare nights where I do think if the manager had a better game, they would have won. Yeah, I just, in.

that situation where you have your 40-year-old right-handed option comes out and does a job. And by the way, it's not like they've just put Strom on lefties this entire year. No, not at all. Strom has been a guy that has faced both. And listen, there's some accusations of Strom tipping pitches. So, again, like we said, heading into the series. Like, just figure it out when it comes to this non-exam. They had Andy Pahas on second base basically giving out which side of the plate

of mass drama is going to throw the ball to. And it's just little stuff like this against a team that good cannot happen. So it's just you have, just so much little stuff, little stuff holding this team back from winning a game like that. And when they didn't come through in the middle portion of the game, you knew Kiki was going to get the hit. They were hanging on by a thread. and they weren't able to come through and get something,

something to swing momentum back. Like, I'm not sitting here. I actually feel mostly, mostly positive. Like, it sucks. It's brutal losing a game like that. But there was an odd feeling I had that they were going to lose game one and lose game two. You said it to me earlier. You did.

It was just in my gut. And I thought the series is going five anyway. But that doesn't mean that you have. have to give away a game. And this team has been resilient and tough and all of the things that you need to see for majority of the season. But what tonight was was a reverting back to the bad postseason games. What you saw tonight was a team doing the things that a lot of people said, this is the

reason why I don't believe in that. Well, they have two hits after the third. And one of them was the Kepler double in the night. So, yeah, I'm frustrated. I'm really frustrated. And if we look back and this doesn't go the way that we really, really hope that it goes, bad decision to put Robertson back out there, which couldn't have really backfired any quicker. It was about as fast of a backfire than I've ever seen.

Two days or turns like that, like done. That's going to be one that we're going to look at for a long time and say, that caused us. Yeah, again, I'll say it again because I feel like it has to be emphasized with an off day tomorrow and a completely fresh bullpen. Like, it is, it's like, it's almost nonsensical. Like, I can't even get inside Topper. Like, usually even in a bad decision, like that Kimbrowat.

It's like, all right, I don't have anyone left. Like, I'll take a shot with a guy. Like, I can't even put myself in his head and understand the logic. Like, I can't, I can't understand how he got there. All right, come into the phones in a minute, 215, 5, 5, 924-9ber. Let's get to the pitch count and injury report It's brought to you by the Plummers Union Local 690 Protecting the health of the nation

Visit Plummers 690.org Obviously not much pitch counts stuff to you into But injury report wise, Jack You know imaging tomorrow, Erison Bader If you didn't hear left the game With a hamstring groin type injury Yeah groin is that after the game So they're saying left groin tightness

It turns out he's getting imaging tomorrow Apparently he spoke confidently About his ability to play again in the series that's good to hear, but we know with hamstrings, how he feels tomorrow could completely change things. Like, we don't know. Well, I'm not worried about the series. I'm worried about game two, Harrison.

No doubt. No doubt, buddy. It's really the big one that I would like to see. Plus, it's snow on the mound. Yep. So there's already... You're really hoping for that righty bat there, you know? There's already a question as to whether or not Marshall was going to start.

He probably was going to start. But, you know, now it's... Now I guess Kepler has to be in there. Castellanos has to be in there. and we'll see. Sounds like a nice hope and a prayer for game three. Two one five, five, nine two, 94-94. Let's go to the phones.

Let's go to Denver and talk to Pat. Hey, Pat. Hey, Pat. Hey, guys. Oh, man. Brutal. Just, just a brutal loss. I mean, this one hurts, right, guys? Yeah.

It does. It hurts. And, you know, especially since, you know, Bader got hurt. and, you know, I questioned Castiano's coming in, and I had, I don't know a lot you guys, but I had no faith that he was going to do anything.

Yeah, I mean, and that at bat. I mean, I was fine going to him. He had the Grand Slam off Glass now earlier this year. And look, Bader was hurt. You have to go to someone. Like, I get choosing Cassie over Kemper or Wilson in that spot, but even still, like,

and honestly, that at bat, the bat in the ninth bother me more. First pitch ground out. It was like, that was like the cast of a bat right there. Just went in, hacking, swings, and that was it, you know? Don't do that. And I do, I do put the, I do hang the loss on Topper with you guys. I'm with you guys.

But as, as strong, like, you can't, you can't throw a high fastball to Tehawk on the outside of the play. Like, let him hit an opo. I mean, Jack, are you kidding me? I turned on my wife Before he threw the pitch I was like You just pitch around him Why he had Freeman on deck

Yeah I mean Yeah They could have You got a lefty on deck I don't Freddie Freeman's a Hall of Famer But Yeah but you feel good about

Tram on Freeman He's Mr. Playoff He's Mr. Playoff So I want to be positive It's a five game series Let's get the five Let's take it Monday night and see how we go but man that was a that was a brutal loss i couldn't stand the tbs

announcers by the way i mean it was just i don't know if you guys heard the broadcast yeah yeah you guys were at the game but they were saying uh sasaki's big in japan he's uh he's he's popular and it's like okay tell me something i don't know okay like it was just i really wish they would have got sasaki but he looked pretty damn good Good call, man. Thanks for the call. Yeah, Sasaki was good. He was good. And look, Glassnow, I thought that was a weird move to go to Glass now in that spot. I thought it was an insane move to keep him in the game against Marsh. Or was it not Marsha, prior to Marsh, whatever it was. Harper. Like, I just, I didn't think Dave Roberts had a great game, but it worked

for him, you know, and obviously Topper, it didn't. All right, 215, 592, 94-94. will continue to take your calls and react to the incredibly disappointing NLDS game one loss. Phil's lose 5 to 3 of the Dodgers will continue to take your calls and react on 94WIP coming back. Maybe it's just a phase you're going through. You'll get over it. I can't help you with that. The next appointment is in six months. You're not alone.

Finding mental health support shouldn't leave you feeling more lost. At CAMH, we know how frustrating it can be trying to access care. We're working to build a future where the path to support is clear, and every step forward feels like progress, not another wrong turn. Visit camh.ca to help us forge a better path for mental health care. Okay, flights on air Canada. Oh, wow. Majorca, that's new.

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The Delaware Valley's only heart hospital coming to the phones in a minute. I hate to have to do this, but we do have to award a player of the game. It is brought to you by Salis. Jersey Gas Conserve, helping customers in the community save energy and money, visit South Jersey Gas.com slash conserve, and I guess it's Taosker Hernandez. Yeah. I mean. Yeah.

Could have. I mean, we're not, certainly not any Phillies were the player of the game tonight, sadly. No. And again, I mean, you could have pitched your honor if you wanted and faced Freeman. I mean, it gets more and more risky, of course. But it, but it, you got the lefty in there. It makes sense, especially with how Taosker is absolutely murdered left-hand pitching. and is white hot, you know, it's, I don't, I get it, I get going after task, you're there,

but if you ask me what I would have rather they did, forgetting hindsight, like, I would face Freeman in that, Scott. And if it's, if he really was tipping, can we just figure it out? To lose that way is, it's so much worse. Of course. It makes it so much worse. Because it's avoidable. It's avoidable.

So they have never won a series after losing game one. Good. Great. It's not a bad time. the change history. Yes. Well, look, they had never played a game seven. There you go. I was going to say the same thing. Come on, man. There you go. Come on man. Come on, man. All right. 2-1-5-92, 94-94. We like talking to him after win, less so after a loss. But I love talking to Black Gritty regardless. What about? Well, I need you guys, and I need you more tonight than

ever. I feel sick. I've been getting sick or all day. It was cinema. Shurkey was getting shut down. It was a prime opportunity. And then the little things. And now listen to you guys talk. If we're tipping it's choking me up inside if that's the problem. If that's a real thing like what are we doing? Fire everyone. Seriously. Like if you lose a playoff serious to that, like really?

You make... That's avoidable! Yes, yes, yes. And so I... Okay. She just said to, after losing the opening game, you know, something's got to change, guys. Someone's got to change. Yeah, I mean, listen, they

They got to dig deep. It felt way too familiar. Yeah, well, it really did. I just, man, I, tonight sucked. I, until I see this team lose on Monday, I know that sounds simplistic, but I just have a lot of faith in their ability to win on Monday. Look, one game should change your belief in this team. It's just because it looks so similar.

Of course. Of course. Of course. And again, that's a big spot for the manager. It's a big spot for the manager. And he failed tonight. 100% failed tonight. and the top of the line of you can't do it

you can't yeah but at the same time so I hear you I mean bets of Taney and Freeman 1 for 12 1 for 12 yeah 1 for 12 was

like the difference was the other guys tonight I understand stars being stars and they have to be good but like it takes a village it just takes a village to win a game like that and the thing that

you're not going to get this show A again one because of different pitching but two because he's not being taxed as a pitcher and a bat you know what I mean mean, his mind isn't divided for the next couple of games. Yeah, he's definitely a worst hitter when he pitches statistically. So I love you guys.

Give me a hug. I'm going to sleep. I'll talk to you Monday. I'm jealous of you going to sleep. Sleep sounds awesome. And he's up until you woke up at noon today. I know. It's outrageous.

Yeah, to you're talking to someone who never sleeps. It's a real thing. Fritzie, like, what do you say to the people? And I agree with you. And I think you're right to say to like series is. isn't over like I thought they'd split here anyway but I do think there are a lot of people out there you know jiving with the the concept of same old stories same old song and dance like Parker said two and eight in their last 10 like and again they've earned that and it might be right

they might come out on on Monday and it's it's but what like what do you say to those people to kind of potentially give them some hope in in this team bouncing well the one thing that would be nice is is knowing the injury status of of Harrison Bader I mean Harrison Bader's been a big part in the turnaround and I think the feeling of positivity. And had a good game tonight. I had that huge catch, had the sack fly, like at least what did more than most

Phillies players tonight. Almost had a homer. Almost had a homer. I thought it was gone. I thought it was gone. Sosa, I didn't think, was gone. I didn't either. I fell it off the bat. I was like, eh, it's going to die. So, you know, I think the reason why I don't sit here

and feel totally hopeless is you know, this is a team that has lost bad games at a good amount of times this year and has responded to it. And I think that they're going to come out and play with their hair on fire on Monday. And I think tonight, I thought maybe the lights were a little bright on a couple guys. Even Sanchez, who overall was fine, but I thought he got tight a little bit. And look, I don't know if you said to me, but I had multiple people say, if it's Wheeler, they win that game.

And I think that's fair. And, again, I don't, Sanchez is lower on the list than others tonight. But you're right. Like, that's your ace. They lost game one last year with Wheeler. Yeah, sure. But he had not because of Wheeler. Sure.

I know. Yeah. I know. But I guess I just... My point is I think Wheeler keeps at 3-0, you know? Sure. Yeah. You know, with this team,

tonight just felt like a game they gave away rather than a game where they're just fighting and clawing just to make it close and it felt like every Mets game last year was just trying to stay in it just trying to stay afloat tonight I thought they blew a game which it's in a weird way hopeful shouldn't make you feel like that much better no but I get it but I think it's a five game series I always thought it was five game series and that was going to coincide with with losing a game at home it sucks that it's game one it sucks that he had a three nothing lead it sucks that most of it was preventable. But again, I still don't sit here and think they are who we thought they were from years

past. I think that this team is different. I really do. So, you know, last year I felt like that was false hope when the Phillies lost game three. And I kind of had a similar feel to it. I think Monday, I don't want people to come here super, super tight. You know, you come here on Monday and you do your job.

and then you go out to L.A. and put the pressure back on them. And then you get it hopefully back here for a game five. Lizardo, we've talked a lot about being built for this, and he's had a monster last seven or eight starts. And a couple of them have been at home. He's pitched well against this Dodgers team, and he's going to have to go out there and do his thing. Does Thompson get a little bit more aggressive

and try to overcorrect from what tonight was? Maybe he does, or maybe Lazzardo kind of leaves no doubt. But either way, I just, teams come too far. Team has come too far. You're playing a great team. You had a bad night. Manager had a bad night. Stars had a bad night.

Some questionable defense on some balls earlier you would have hoped had turned into double play balls. But still a damn good baseball team. I don't, I think usually, James, you can sit here and you can tell. when I'm in bottom of the skukle mode. No doubt. And I really don't feel that way. I'm annoyed.

If I see another pitcher get a big out to end an inning and he's back out there. I might put it on my tombstone. You might run on the field and get t-shirt. You might get a t-shirt made with it. You might get t-shirt running out there trying to stop it. It's the single most...

Just talk to a pitcher. Just talk to a pitcher. Every time, every time it happens, it does not work. When he puts a starter back out there for next year inning, and that's the one that makes me most annoyed about anything tonight, is how in the hell we're in year four of doing this with him at manager, and he still does that nonsense, and it never works. It never freaking works, and he still does it, and he still does it.

That's the annoying part about tonight. how he is still doing that with a fully rested bullpen in a game that you had that pisses me off and I hope that we're not looking back on this if the rest of the series doesn't go the way that we want

and say because of that decision it costs us a chance to beat the Dodgers and go win a world series 215-92-94-94 one more segment for us we're going to take your calls we want to hear from the people get on the line now 2-15-592-924-94 leading you up to Tom Kelly after that.

One more segment for us. Stay with us. It's High Hopes Radio. We're coming right back. What's up, guys? I'm Jordan Robinson, host of the podcast, The Women's Hoop Show. We're heading towards the home stretch of the WMBA season, and there is so much to get into every episode. Twice a week, I'm joined by one of my amazing co-host as we dissect the biggest games, performances, and even some off-court drama. The playoffs are quickly approaching, and now is the best time to tune in. Who will come away is this? this year's champion. The competition is heating up, and so are we.

Listen to and follow the women's hoops show available now, wherever you get your podcasts. It's a postgame edition of High Ops Radio. We're broadcasting live from the DeBora Heart and Lung Center broadcast booth. Tobora Heart and Lung Center at the Delaware Valley's only heart hospital. Jack Fritz, James Seltzer, as I hear Jack cackling over there. I'm happy you can laugh. So I never, I do my best not to look at my mentions during playoff games. so I just was looking at the responses to my tweets.

So 176, 254, 323, 138. Wow. I'm sure they're all very calm and relaxed. Yeah, a bunch of losers now. Yeah, I know, I know. Yeah, I'm sure. I'm sure people will be. Well, it must be fun for when the Phillies lose you get to be the guy that everyone yells at.

Like, what a treat for you. Yeah, dude, I know. well, when he care a lot about something and a lot of people care a lot about something. And it lets you down so you should get let down more. It's really, it makes a lot of sense, you know? Listen. It's like, do people realize that you're bummed right now

and could use, I don't know, the opposite? Yeah, well, we'll see how the football team does tomorrow. Yeah, well, I don't know if that's going to do too much for you. 215-92-94. Let's go to the phones and talk to Hector and Philly. What up, Hector. Hector. Hello.

Oh, there you. There you go. What's going on? Not doing well, bud. Yeah, not awesome. And so on our way home from the game now and I'm just absolutely baffled. The

Dakota Robertson is your first option out of the bullpen. It should just be an arrestable offense in my opinion. Well, to be fair, Robertson got the job done. I think the problem was putting him back out there. Yeah, and you're not long. It's just a totally mismanaged game. I mean, the crowd tried to stay in it as much as they can, but when you got three hits,

I mean, you guys said Sanchez died out, but, I mean, when your offense gets you three hits, I think you got the job done. I think he did what you need a big dude to get a win. I get through 60, man. I mean, like, I'm, you know, through 7, was it, right? Was it in the 7th wing of him? Yeah, so it's like, look, I agree. The Sanchez is lower on the list.

that's what I thought he got pulled in the six that's what I thought you know like didn't get through six like I'm with you I think Sanchez is lower on the list Hector but like you know he's your ace again if it were Zach Wheeler I don't think he gives up those runs in that spot you never know but

like look at last year yeah they lost the Wheeler's start but Willer gave him seven shotty you know yeah being at the game and they bring in Duran and the top of the ninth down too and they put on the whole freaking the whole life show it just didn't it just didn't feel right

the whole crowd you know what I mean the whole hey good call man we appreciate your call I'm with you Jack that was something that in the building like I love that I ran intro that was about as lame a moment as I wrote like it was like what are we doing I know well it was in my two runs

like no what do you want them to do I want them not to do the intro just come on pitch like a normal person like you don't have I think the intro should be reserved for when it's a safe situation or when there's real energy in the building like that honestly it like It was so flat. It was lame.

It felt lame. Well, it wasn't as bad as when they gave it to Kimberl when he came in. No, yeah. The Welcome to the jungle thing. Like the sixth of the Diamondbacks game. I don't know. I appreciate your passion for the Duran intro and the night. Look, that's low on the list of issues tonight.

It was just in that spot. I was like, really, we're doing this right now. Like, really? Simply don't care. Yeah, I know. I know. I know. I know.

I know. I know. I know. I know. I don't know you know I remember how fun this used to be I know I know I know again I said in the pregame like this this was the most magical place in the world yeah there was nowhere like I always joked with Emily and I'd be like last night on earth I want to go to a fish show like that's the thing I if I if the world's any tomorrow let me have a fish show tonight and that'll be my last thing I'm not even going to troll you about this because it changed to the Phillies though that's the thing is when this place was rocking I would have taken it over it would be my last night on earth activity like it was the coolest best best thing that I did and now it's like a freaking bummer man yeah well and it's just like do the JT

triple the JT triple with everyone going nuts and you get up three nothing they actually do a job totally you know Bader does his job totally kind of thought it was gone I did and I just I think that I think the thing that really hurt tonight is even when they were down 5-3

usually have a pretty good overwhelming sense of dread oh yeah for sure I just, I was like, they're going to do it, you know, they're going to do it. And I can't tell if I'm being, if I'm being suckered into believing in something, I shouldn't be believing in again. But that's how I felt. I felt watching them like, man, Harper's going to do something here,

and Sosa's going to have a moment, and he almost did. Like, he almost freaking did. And even, like, Dave Roberts, man, he tried. He tried to give that one away by putting glass now. back out there. You did? I couldn't believe it. It was crazy.

And again, maybe I'm looking at this too positively after tonight. I don't think the guys are, I don't think the top three are going to go one for 11. I don't either. I just, no, on the contrary. So do I. Coming up in game two is, you know, lefties. Once again, you had one moment in the pregame show where you finished my sentence. Yeah, you're right.

I've failed since. Yes. My back. No, but also, on the contrary, do I expect Mookie and. and Freddie and Othani to go one for 12. You know, I could say the same thing about them. That they won a game with those guys going one for 12. You can't lose a game when those guys do that.

But, and the Bader injury could throw a flying the ointman here because I think he has been such a spark plug for them. But I just, I think they're going to come out on Monday night, and I think they're going to do their thing. And even against Snell, and Snell's an issue. Snell's a problem. That was a huge problem. It strikes out guys all.

When he's on, he's up there, you know? Carved against them in game two of the 22 NLCS, but... But he is getable. Like, especially if you can make him throw pitches, and if nothing else, like, he won't last long, even if he's locked in if you can get him throwing pitches, you know? He's not going to go seven, you know? Theoretically, yeah. Although I never know with this, yeah.

I believe he went seven against them a month ago, so. And he went pretty deep. He pitched into the seventh against the Reds because I had him for 11 strikeouts, so I was absurdly locked in on a on Blake's now nine by the way heading into that inning and he couldn't finish it out because he's a loser so let's hope he's a loser on Monday oh man god I just get the moment get get get Uncle Mo back on your side get Uncle Mo back on your side and swing this back there's a lot of people there's a lot of people who want to give up on this team oh for sure again and I think it's because of what we talked about

where sure the same old story I think there's a lot of people I think we're going to on Monday on our jobs on WIP I think it's going to be a lot of people being like I knew it I told you this team can't win they're fundamentally flawed and guess who's going to be there at town it'll be okay that's you buddy me what we need our spirit area rarely

am I it's going to be okay guy it's rare actually I like bringing people even further down I know you like to just shut down you know and just not respond to people in these situations bringing people into the doldrums with me you do I will say I was mostly fine today you did what you did really well man

I was pretty proud of you. I was expecting much worse. Seems like a lot of people. I got multiple is Jack O'K.K. Techs after the game. Yeah. Yeah. Well, listen, all I did was go stand by myself.

Yeah. All I want, I just want to be alone. It's as simple as that. I know these things. My cousin came over. You know, don't see you all the time. So I had good guys in up with him. There you go.

Had tried to explain myself. He's like, we kind of have the same blood, so I get it. I get it. You know, so. But yeah. Yeah. You're doing good, buddy. Overall.

Honestly, you're getting much better than I expect. Thank you. We'll see how you are. It's all about growth mindset. Hopefully Monday you're feeling much better because, you know. Lazara's going to shove. He better. He better.

Let's go to Steve in Cape Corral. Hey, Steve. Yeah, how you doing? Not well, Steve. How are you, bud? I'm doing real good. Oh, good. I called you.

What are you doing real good about? I'm doing real good because all my predictions coming through. What was your prediction? So you're happy they lost? I called you back in May a bunch of times in early June. Told you Topper has to go. I told you we should have signed Blake Snell instead of Nola. He told me.

Hey, Steve. You know what? Hey, Steve. Thanks for the call, pal. I just, I don't need that at all. Lose. Could not have asked for a worse call in the moment there. Like, good for you, dude.

Congrats. I'm so freaking happy. You nailed it, bud. Good for you. You're right. You're real genius. Like, to take the time. Go, Rupert another team.

To call in and be like. I know I'm supposed to be a Philly fan, but I was right. I'm stoked, man. Topper. I was loving it when he was screw it up because I knew I was right. 96 games. 96 wins. He's had a great year.

He had a bad night, and I hope they had Jocelyn game too. We're going to take one more call. George and Drexel. There's a lot riding on you because you have to make up for Stephen in Cape Corral. George, how you doing, pal? You're not happy they lost it. Fellas, I'm not happy.

Thank you. Thank you. I'm not happy. Let me just tell you something. I mean, I have a couple things on my mind. If you can let me speak about it, I appreciate it. Sometimes I talk to you guys, not you guys personally, but other guys. And they don't listen to what I say, and they hang up on me and stuff like that.

But let me tell you something. I'm a 75-year-old guy. I'm a following baseball since I was a kid five years old in the 50s. 1955. And I'm telling you, one thing we learned back then, as a kid growing up, when they're throwing breaking pitches like that, all you got to do is move up on the plate, half an inch, half a foot, and hit them damn balls as they're coming down.

These guys, isn't anyone teaching these guys how to hit? When these guys are throwing these breaking pitches, you can hit these breaking pitches. They never used to miss these before. were missing. These guys are missing. No one's teaching the head coach. Topper that's supposed to know it all because you worked under Joe Torrey,

which I don't believe. Because I remember Joe Torrey and his staff. I don't remember no one called Topper. There's actually... But he calls himself Topper. You think Thompson should tell them with... George, George, can I tell you how disappointed I am in you? 100. See you. I just... That was fun.

I'm happy we took calls. That was great. I'll remember not to take calls. I was just like... Really? it's like move up in the box that'll help they also throw a hundred like I don't know if they taught that back in the 50s by the way pitchers throwing 100 in the 50s would be arrested I'm sure George and Drexelow

I have a better shot against Shoha Tani than Trey Turner it's just yeah it's a frustrating night it's a frustrating night I do think that they're doing their best like I just I want them to come through I think the Schwerber the Schwerber at bat again if this if this series goes awry that's one they're going to look at.

You know, that was a moment. There was a moment where they could have broken that open. Again, you know, not to do the end-of-season eulogy or... Yeah, it's a little early for that. Or moments where you kind of were like... Or moments we should have paid more attention to. But how they played the last... Even like the Diamondback series,

Diamondback series and after wasn't the best baseball. and runners in scoring position was not great. Stars weren't starsing. I don't want to point to that at the end of the year or say we should have focused on that because, again, they were playing such good baseball and you don't want to just point to any, I mean, they won games.

They lost two or three out in Arizona, but they won two or three against the Marlins and then won two or three against the twins at the same time. It's not like they're super great teams. and they lost 5-0 on that Saturday. Could have cost a one seed. Yeah.

Not totally. That Brewers ended up waiting the next day, but like the points you had a chance. You had a chance. You had a chance. So, you know, here's hoping. Here's hoping. But with the everything that you had fear of in one game came roaring in. Could not have been a worst game for all those people who were fearing these things.

Think about it. Sanchez, not as good as Wheeler. Offense, going cold. Stars, not being the stars. Tompard, bad decisions. Thompson, bad decision. Bullpen not being. It's unbelievable, honest.

Like, dude, Kirkring and Duran was the best relievers tonight. Oh, like, Kirkring was lights out tonight, of course. Of course. He's going to throw... If they lose the series and he throws three score lists, I'm going to be beside myself. I'm right there with you. But, you know, as we wrap up here, I guess the message for Monday is this. Lazzardo comes out in shoves.

they were always going to lose game one should have said it pregame should have said it pregame should have let people know they were always going to lose game one manager has to lock in stop tipping pitches and pay attention to if you are

to like get on that like get in the video room right now stop tipping pitches and and the big guys at the top if you want to you've had a pretty good run here with this fan base you've got a pretty good

freaking run if you don't want that to turn you still want to be the guys go do the thing on Monday go to the thing

so I don't sit here and feel totally hopeless I really don't this team has done too much good

this year and they it's a tough task against this Dodgers team but this is a team that has shown

us a lot of fight this year and I don't think they're going to just roll over and die I don't think they rolled over and died tonight

I don't either for what it's worth They had moments. They had chances. They just got to get the job done. So I know it's going to be a tight ballpark on Monday. It's unavoidable, yeah. Can already feel it.

Let's make it a party early and let people kind of de-stress. But a super, super, super, super-disciplining night, one that I think you kind of felt in the middle of the game of they're really going to have to hold on to this. Once it was 3-2, I was terrified. Yeah, yeah. Did place a live bet on the Dodgers. Of course he did. Didn't work.

Didn't work. Actually, place it when they were up three nothing. You got to have a feel. Yeah. Unfortunately, we felt that a little too much recently. Not tonight, yeah. And, man, two and eight, two and eight in our last ten postseason games. Look, this group's legacy is on the line.

It really is. This group's legacy is on the line. Monday night is a legacy defining game for this group. Like, they still have to go further to define it. But the point is, if they don't win, Monday night like this whole thing you know that this fun thing you know and they'll still compete no players but like this this group this thing it's over you know so like this is a lot of legacies in Philadelphia a lot of these guys um you know legacy here is is really on the line

Monday night it's like a massive massive spot all right uh thank you to everyone to call it couldn't do without you thank you to tuck her bag leaving the last two callers we love yeah no not you too i'm sorry yeah we love you says thank you to everyone else uh thank you to Alex call I'm Fran Roas, producing the show. Keep it here. Tom Kelly's coming up next. We will be back for the pregame Monday night, Jack. Jack will be on it, not us.

We'll be on post game. You'll be on the pregame, I'm saying. And then post game reacting to what better forget be a win. Go birds. Yeah, you're damn right. All right. We'll talk to you guys on Monday. Keep it here.

Tom Kelly coming up next. Thanks for listening to another edition of High Hopes Radio. We'll talk to you guys later.