High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Phillies Finish Toronto Sweep

Episode Date: September 5, 2024

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies' 3-2 win over the Blue Jays and looks ahead at what the rest of the season could look like for Bryce Harper who left the game with an elbow 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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us. Follow Cash the Ticket in the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Well would you look at that? Welcome on in. It is the final out sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable never looked so good. Jack Fritz hanging out with you on this Wednesday afternoon as the Fills just take care of business go up at, Toronto They play a ball club that again like talent wise not the most overwhelming It's been a down year for the Blue Jays Vlad. He's great bullpen's not and They just kept the train

Rolling they kept it going. They didn't let up after the weekend words. That's listen taking three or four in the Braves I think the Phillies of I don't know Three weeks ago where it felt like they would win one game they would think they're back and think they're out of whatever funk they're in they would just give it right back and Was big about this series is they did it now Tyler Phillips. He put him in all yesterday fought the way back It was great today much more workman like but I'm happy from the standpoint of There was an opportunity to take your foot off the gas a little bit

But it looks like that they have ramped up their seriousness heading into September They've looked more locked in. I know that people will say today. They hit three home runs. You know, we this floor well guess what? Hitting home runs is fine. I agree with you It can't be the only way but it has to be a way because that's how your offense goes into Funks where you can't score like you got you got to sometimes pop one Let's get to the game wrap up sponsored by bluzzer Swiss lube and crevice the metal working fluid specialists providing professional CNC machine cleaning coolant maintenance programs and waste coolant disposal crevice dot online two one five five ninety two Ninety four ninety four is how you get in will at least the phone lines here to react to a

again a workman's like Phillies win and they continue Continue to show signs at their back. I know people a lot of disclaimers got a little qualifiers As the hell why did you I don't know? I don't see it yet That was pretty close to how the first half looked for majority of it the biggest takeaways of the game brought to you by Morgan and Morgan, America's largest injury law firm. And my biggest takeaway of the game is what I just said. That was a professional win.

And it did feel like the first half. And it felt like the first half for a couple of reasons. Number one, and a big one, dominant starting pitching. Chris Sanchez was great, a little shaky early early but Chris Sanchez overall was just dominant and there was times when he was up to 98 late in the game it's funny because Chris Sanchez is actually one of those kind of throwback starters that'll come out more 94 95 and ease his way into a ballgame and that's why I think early in the games sometimes he doesn't look as look his best because I think early in the games, sometimes he doesn't look as, look his best

because I think he's trying to find his release point on a lot of pitches. But when he finds his release point, if teams let him find his release point, it's game over. I mean, cause he gets into a rhythm and when he's going 98, 97, we haven't seen 98, 98 was once today. When he can get 96, 97 up in the zone and in on right-handed hitters and then

couple that with a change up off down like 85 and then mix in that slider that I thought he located pretty well today. He's just a really, really tough pick. Like he's a, he is I think, I think people agree he's good, but I feel like he's underrated. Like I feel like he's an underrated stud. I mean Chris Sanchez is a damn good pitcher. And there is an argument to be made of him starting game too. Like I know Noel's probably gonna do it for $172 million reasons why.

But like Chris Sanchez is right there. And having those three heading into a playoff series. I feel pretty damn good about it They for some reason have to get to the the third spot in the in the in the in the NL standings And they have to play three games at home Worst case is you have Wheeler Nola Sanchez one two three. I don't think Rangers in that mix yet Yeah, would leave Rangers start Rangers in that mix yet. Yeah, would leave Rangers start Game one of the of the DS but still the Chris answer Chris Sanchez is just a really really good pitcher and

that win today Further the stat that's one of the funniest stats about this Phillies season and really shows how important good starting pitching is 32 and one this year when starters go 7 innings 32 and one I mean that's dominant now they've had I think the most starts this year of starters going getting quality starts and they tied the Yankees today so starting pitching has been doing their work and and if you take out I wish there was a way you could probably do it I'm not a math guy I'm not a you know get deep into the numbers guy Whatever they're starting pitching staff

They're starting staff e ra Minus Taiwan and Tyler Phillips like all those guys still like they're they're running back into form No, it's been really good. Sanchez been really good wheelers been really good Rangers obviously coming back from injury first start great last one Not so good But those three at least have been right back to where they were in the first half and in Wheeler's case I actually think he stepped up I think Nola looks a little bit better the fastball command has looked great and Chris Sanchez it's kind of been what

he's been this entire season so dominant starting pitching Schwab are doing his thing you know he's he's on in one of those Schwab or heaters and when he's on one of these heaters Just get out of the way leads up the game with the home run today You know, it's 31st as a Philly So he is he's in one of those streaks and when sure we're gets going kind of get out of the way So Schwab we're doing well dominant starting pitching and when I mean about random bottom of the guy bottom of the lineup guy stepping Up like in the first half the year

It was it was almost as if okay So this is getting a hit or you know Sometimes stubby would mix one in Rojas was for some reason really really good with runners scoring position It felt like the offense was going like the top of the order was doing their thing for the most part and then someone at The bottom would step up and do something and for the last two nights most part and then someone at the bottom would step up and do something and for the last two nights it's been Cody Clemens and he continues to work his way into a playoff roster spot here it's the way that Rob Thompson talks about him I think he really trusts him and I think he wants him to be on the roster but

when you have a guy they can come off the bench and do what he did last night 11 pitch at bat, 8 pitch at bat, working pitchers today comes out hits a home run gives the Phil's a lead. He's got some power. He works good good good at bats he's a professional hitter and he continues to remind me of Greg Dobbs, but You're seeing the makings I think of a valuable bench piece in Cody Clemens and they had their random bottom of the lineup guy step up today bullpen shut down Hoffman in the eighth Estevez in the ninth

Just coming in and doing their thing and they got an insurance run It felt like in the in the first half the year when they're really playing good ball They would always get that insurance run late whether it be with two outs and getting a back breaking hit or hitting a home run Like JT did today. They got an insurance run today. Obviously, you know, the blue Jays are Looking for reasons to give up I would feel like right now with how bad their seasons gone and they didn't let them breathe and I thought that was really really impressive two and five five nine two 9494 my other takeaway the game is once again

It was it was another sign of Rob Thompson being more aggressive as September has started here. He pulled Schwaber in the eighth It only having a one-run lead only have a one-run leads important because he's gotten burned by this early in the season where he would pull Schwaber and They would tie it up and then you lose Schwaber in extra innings. It would have to be one of the other guys hitting Well today he tried it again. It was a good situation for it. No outs and Schwab around first and Rowas up or a Rojas pinch running for him. He gets his form position ultimately doesn't score, but I'll take that chance

You know nine times out of ten I thought it was a good situation for it obviously Schwab is in the field today Which is not always gonna be in the field So you get the additional defensive upgrade with putting Rojas out there But it was a sign of some aggressiveness of not just saying of not letting the game kind of come to you was kind of Dictating the game and it didn't work out, you know Rojas had to hit you know, which was not great now they were already at 4-2. It wasn't a super, super critical situation,

but obviously we'd rather have Schwab rub up to what he's doing right now. But I thought that was notable. Pulling Schwab there, going to Rojas, getting a pinch running situation, getting a defensive upgrade, and the only downside is Rojas having to hit again. So I thought that was notable.

And then this is obvious, but I feel like it has to be pointed out. Because listen, I think Jeff Hoffman is this team's best option to close out ballgames. But I also don't want Jeff Hoffman to be the penciled-in lockdown closer guy. Because I want him to be able to do things like he did tonight, which is coming in the eighth, and face the top of the Jays order Which is Springer and and Vlad E and he just moved that went right through those guys So two examples of aggressive Rob Thompson I think we're trying to see him get more aggressive as the games are getting more more and more important to 15592

94 94 to get in here on the final out Phil's win They got the pattern Francis, which is you even pretty good now. He he did go on a run He he shut down I think eight in a row at one point if there's one Question mark after today Besides some injury stuff which we'll get to it is definitely the reliance in the long ball But again, like sometimes, you know win games by not relying on a long ball They can't be your only source of offense and I don't think it's this team's only source of offense like I think people get too caught up and like well, it's gonna go cold when the home runs disappear like Okay, but like what if they don't and they they have to find a different way to score. I totally agree

But I also want them to hit home runs because I think it's important. I mean, in August of last year, they hit 59 home runs and in August of this year, they hit 27. Like that's also not sustainable. It has to be a mixture of both. You can't be too far one way. I think we got too caught up with what the Diamondbacks did last year.

Like it has to be a mixture of both, but being able to hit a home run is breaking news. a bad thing Scott's in Newtown what's happening Scott? Yo yo Fritzy all right you feel good after this one right? They have to that's a workman's like win Scott. Hell yeah man it was um I don't know like yeah the home runs are gonna come it's like you're not gonna win all the games playing small ball neither that's always my argument with asking so like I didn't think that we had that many home runs during the Braves game So I think that was a lot of wins and dude I like the way Thompson played this like truthfully. I thought Thompson won the brave series even how he pitched um

Walker the week before the series before you know like he played that to win it and he played today like you wanted to win it So I just think whenever he makes these good moves people don't really credit it I know you do but so you know I'm happy with them Fritz the only thing I wanted to see is in that ninth inning and I know maybe you'll disagree Yeah, I saw I saw your DM. I saw your DM Dude, he should have freaking hit the guy with three balls and no strikes. He should have just hit him You know what I mean? You didn't get on base anyway He should have helped him and been done with it cuz I just think like we're never get anyone back man

So but end of the day, I won some money yesterday won some money today I feel good and I just think of everyone should be pumped up for these bills the bats are going and the arms are there So yeah, I appreciate I appreciate the phone call Scott. Yeah At the when it was a one run lead and even a two run lead I I am more pro Retaliating than not like when Strom did it out in LA to protect Cassiano So I was like that's a big moment of the season like that kind of stuff I do like I obviously don't want anyone throwing it heads with

Maryfield we get it but at the same time like I want to get out there with a win and then that's ultimately the most important thing you can do in that kind of situation but we will get to what happened earlier today in the injury report obviously a big one plus we'll get to the play earlier today in the injury report, obviously a big one. Plus, we'll get to the play of the game end and an interesting stat about one key filly. Plus, it was a good, good series for a guy not named Kyle Schwab. We'll get to all that. Come on 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. for WIP. 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. That is our Play of the Game sponsored by Mike's Amazing, the official mayo and mustard of the Phillies, Cody Clemens. What a series up in Toronto. And it's funny because I think everyone that watches the team on a nightly basis, I think we all like Cody Clements. I think we think that he's a pretty good player and I think that you trust him when he's up to bat. I really think the biggest thing that he's shown is just a good sense of the strikes on an ability to foul off pitches. There was a time, and I wrote in my notes after the fourth

or fifth inning, where I thought they were doing a really good job, like a shockingly good job of fouling off a ton of pitches and making pitchers work and trying to get pitchers in the zone and Looking for the right fastball to hunt and it was like wow This is we dreamed of and then they you know got shut down for a couple of things in a row there by about Bouton Bouton Francis and then I was like, yeah, maybe I'll save that take for another day but Clemens is a part of that. And I just continue to think he's working his way into an important role in this team

from a pinch hitting kind of perspective. And I think the one other thing to watch here down the stretch run is going to be Hayes versus Weston Wilson for who's that main righty off the bench. They've given Weston Wilson a lot of run here. And he has definitely cooled off since the cycle, but you know, he's in like taking the job and run with it since they traded for him and Like I think they now like what Rojas is doing in center field

Marsh was really the guy that they needed to get going if the off field was gonna work because Castellanos I was really good But getting Marsh going just adds another legitimate back to this and I thought it was important like Everyone's talking about Schwab and rightfully so Schwab was great Brandon Marsh is on base eight times in two games eight times in two games looked much better Walked a little bit like when Marsh is at his best. He's he's walking when he's as worse he's striking him out all the time and and When he's walking when he's making hard contact again, there was the stat going around Twitter last week

They get the highest babbip in in baseball history When he hits the baseball good things generally happen just he gets in these funks where you can't make contact So I thought Marsh being on base eight times in two games. It's a really really important sign So Clemens Marsh good stuff. Obviously Kyle Schwab good stuff as well. Two one five five nine two Ninety four ninety four now the big one the big one from today and it is the injury report Which is sponsored by the plumbers union local 690 protecting the health of the nation visit plumbers six nine. The other work is Two injuries one again out bum not playing now. I feel like that was more we already split We've come up here and done a job,

if he's not 100% we don't need to rush him out there. Frustrating, but I get it, I hope he's in the lineup tomorrow, but again I don't want them to rush anyone back from injuries right now. You have a pretty good lead right now. Seven up with 23 to play I believe and In the in the race for the the second Seed or the ones either one game behind the Dodgers heading into tonight They are currently three games up on the Brewers who are obviously playing tonight against the Cardinals I do not believe that game has not started yet. So that game comes up around 740

But you know, we'll be watching that one So they are good there and it's why? This Harper situation is maybe tonight was a sign of like we gotta shut this guy down for a little bit And it's interesting to me if you listen to Rob Thompson talk if you listen to him His postgame press conferences whenever he talks about injuries, it's always, he's fine. He's fine, he's fine. And he wasn't as confident with Harper. Like, it was a different tone with Rob Thompson talking about Bryce Harper.

So I thought that was semi-notable. Obviously, it's hit today. Scary because that, I mean, I feel like I've seen Bryce Harper get hit in that spot. And that's where, I mean, Cabrera obviously hit him in the face. Snell got up there. It's with how Violently he opens up. He leaves himself Susceptible to being hit there and I just it's it's the worst the worst when he gets it there So he left the game had a contusion. I didn't think Thompson was as confident after the game

Again, the number one priority is him being healthy heading into October. And also, secondary priority is that Brewer series coming up in about a week and a half, two weeks. Right now, and maybe Cody Clemens' emergence will make this decision easier, but they have some options here that are not Bryce Harper, but I also don't think it's like a dumpster fire

You know, we all know the we all know baseball like guys can miss time and they can stay afloat and when Turner is out They're fine when Harper missed time in the in the past. They were fine. Like they're in a good spot They have a good cushion. They have to be smart about this you do like at some point They have to take it out of his hands. Bryce wants to play. He doesn't want to be labeled as injury prone. We know that, but we have to do what's smart for the ultimate team here. The smart thing to do at some point is get him off his feet. Manage him. Manage him. It's my priority number one, I think, heading down this retro around here up behind obviously getting the one or two seat and and holding on the division lead is making sure that Bryce Harper is healthy heading into the postseason because

Because it's it's not great right now. So we'll see he's in the lineup tomorrow We will see if he's in the lineup tomorrow to one five five nine two ninety four ninety four. Let's go to a J-bomb in Philly. what's happening J-bomb? What's going on? How you feeling buddy? I'm not gonna lie. I'm a little upset I think a lot of people are definitely a little upset right now My my problem and there is a silver lining to it, but my problem is you got Harper complaining about his wrist complaining about his elbow for an extended period of time at this point. And he's a big boy. Like you said, you know, he doesn't want to be known as that guy.

He doesn't want to be related to trial with ongoing injuries. And I get that, but he's going to always say that he's fine. Even if he's not, I mean, it's kind of like being a parent. Your job as a parent is to tell if your kids's not being honest with you or honest with themselves. And after a number of interviews of him saying that, I'm just grinding through this and just grinding through it, at what point do you just give the guy some rest? And I think everyone agrees that he needs just some rest here. I mean, now he's gonna get it. But it's just, do we really have to wait for him

to get hurt or hit? I should say, I don't wanna say hurt, but do we have to wait for him to get hit? And of course, the right spot. Did nobody think that that was a possible option that could make something worse? It just, can you? The only thing is that it was the other elbow.

So though his problem is that- I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You're right. So, that's the only difference. But yeah, I'm with you. Like, you're playing four against Miami. There's gonna be five people in the stadium. I know it's been a house of horrors for you the last couple of years. But man, like, I just... I have a hard time envisioning them winning the World Series with the way that Bryce is hitting right now. I think he's doing well average wise. He's doing well average wise, but when it comes down to like being a super big difference maker in the middle of the lineup,

like they need his power and I just. They need that extra power. And right now Harper's, if you see it, I mean, you can see it in his hits. He's getting doubles, he's getting singles. He doesn't have that power to get the thing, you know, out of the park. And I don't want him swinging for the fences all the time, but he's got to be able to when he needs to. But my silver lining is I don't think it's nearly as bad as people are saying as a team, you know, we got Cody Clemens, we got Weston, they're both

performing pretty darn well. And with how well Harper has not been performing as well I don't think it'd be a huge deal if we sit him out for a couple games obviously the Brewers coming up that's a little that's gonna there's gonna be some questions there but I think you got a couple guys who are really good and really ready and really hungry and I think now's the time to give them an opportunity yeah I appreciate the phone call J bomb 2 1 5 215592 94 94 if you want to Get in on the Harper situation on the other side a look ahead to tomorrow the player of the game Plus I promise you this stat about one Philly that I think I think you'll enjoy

We'll get to that coming up next as well. It's the final out on sports radio 94 WIPA That is our player of the game sponsored by South Jersey gas Conserve helping customers and the community save energy and money visit South Jersey Gas Dot-com slash conserve Chris Sanchez seven innings tonight again Like comes out a little slow early, you know, you start worried as he does. He does he not have it today he's obviously had his a bit of road struggles here and And then he just locks back in and when he gets locked in I think he's the most fun bitch to watch on the on the in the staff

he when he gets locked in it's game over it can go 97 in out change up off that it's it's it's a tough tough at bat especially for varieties he's good against lefties I feel like against righties he's even tougher I mean he's just had a an unbelievable Unbelievable season and that that contract design him to I think is gonna age very very well speaking the future the rotation Andrew painter first time today. He faced live batters There's only 15 pitches, but you started thinking about next year's rotation town Walker Probably not in it if I had to guess but I think they're gonna give him a shot in Spring training because guys that can eat innings are valuable, but you look at next year's rotation You go Wheeler, you go Nola, Sanchez

Ranger Andrew Painter is your five? Andrew Painter Year and a half ago was the number one pitching prospect in the sport now Now he's not Paul Skeens like Paul Skeens is Generational but he was like in that next class. So obviously with young pitchers, you can never get too ahead of yourself because there's going to be growing pains, but that rotation on paper is is pretty ridiculous, pretty ridiculous. The book the final out is sponsored by Regency Furniture, affordable never looked so good. Let's go to Dave and Bellemare. What's happening, Dave? What's up, Jackie baseball? How you doing buddy? I'm doing good Sanchez went really well today. He did

He did really well. Hey, don't you think that Harper's had at least one or two quarter zone shots? Well, so it's funny, they talked after the game, Harper talked after the game, and he said that, yeah, they gave him a shot in the arm, received treatment in his left elbow, and he said he felt good, so I mean, I guess it's a good sign, but yeah, he's probably taken something.

With all these nagging injuries, he's had to have a few quarter zone shots. Yeah. Because I know he doesn't wanna come out, just like everybody else. Yeah, well, would you shut him down? I I'd shut him down for a few games. Yeah, this would be a perfect opportunity I think I agree. I agree. Right listen, it's the Marlins

I know we all that we're all fearful the Marlins, but like they got to worry about October So I they got to worry about October and every time swarmer It's a home run somebody there shakes their head every time and you know who I'm talking about. I bet he does. I bet he does. Appreciate the phone call Dave. It's been a tough season for the Schwabr shouldn't bat lead off crowd.

I mean it's actually the perfect segue and that's why I appreciate Dave, professional caller. Schwabr is closing in. He should get there. I'd be surprised if he didn't get there. He's got about a month left. I think he's at 88 RBIs. But he's closing in on 100 walks, 100 RBIs, and 100 runs for back-to-back seasons. The only filly is to do that twice. Mike Schmidt, Bobby Abreu, and hopefully Kyle Schwabr. Pretty good player. Pretty good player.

Tomorrow, Phil's down in Miami. I think we're all waiting to see what the line is going to look like. Is Bryce in it? Again, he talked after the game and said that he felt better after receiving treatment in his left elbow. He said he's good, but still, I think they've got to take it out of Bryce's hands and just give him a couple days here. You're in a pretty good spot. It's Miami. You should be able to beat them without price

Hopefully booms back Cassiano's back in the field. Listen, I appreciate war burp But the more more he plays left field the more more I worry about that Hammy poppin like it did when he played there a couple games before the before the all-star break and for the before the trade that Line, so would like to get the outfield alignment back going range Suarez on mound tomorrow Obviously, it's his third start now coming back off the IL first one great second one Not so great only 78 pitches his last time out. I'm sure they're increasing that I bet his limit It's probably 90 to 100 so Ranger hopefully can go deeper in to tomorrow's game Adam Oller Oller is on the mound for the Marlins. To his credit, he's only allowed

a one-erran run in his last two starts. They're not like openers either. He went five and two thirds two starts ago and six innings his last start against the Giants. So not the easiest matchup but either way, Phil's starting to play good ball. Feels like they've rounded a corner here and be a good time to get MV3 off his feet. But that's gonna do it for me. Thanks for hanging out. Francisco Rojas produced the program today. I'll be back tomorrow with leading off and final out. Same thing Friday. So a lot of fills, actually not Friday,

Friday the Eagles play, who could forget? But I'll be back tomorrow obviously with leading off and final out. All that good stuff. Bros and TK, they'll take you through the rest of the night here on sports radio 94 WIP.