High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Phillies Hit 8 Home Runs, Clinch Bye

Episode Date: September 25, 2025

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies' historic win over the Marlins behind a franchise record 8 home runs. 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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for the tragic murder of Meredith Kircher and the relentless media storm that followed. The twisted tale of Amanda Knox is now streaming only on Disney Plus. And it swung on, rocketed to right, high and deep, and on its way into the second deck. No doubt her from Swarber, his second of the night. Kyle Swarber with home run number 56 on the season. And Ryan Howard is well within range. seven to one Phillies oh what a night down at the ballpark welcome on and it is the final out been a while excited to be back as phil phyllis had to go on a west coast trip and then last night had to have a rain delay yada yada yada yada

but just when they knew that the final out was was was back they decided to show up and and send a message and lock down the two seed while Hitting a franchise record in home runs. Welcome on in, the final out. Jack Fritz, hanging out with you on this Wednesday night as we react to a just, I mean, record breaking night down at the ballpark, record getting within approach record, a lot of good stuff down at the ballpark to get into it. The game wrap-up sponsored by Roto Router,

when plumbing problems hit, wrap them up quick and call roto-ruder. Their team tackles clogs and leaks so you can stay in the game. Roto Router, your MVP for plumbing solutions. 215-592, 94-94 to get in and react to this one if you're on your way home and stuck in traffic. We'd love to hear from you. Or if you watch this one on your couch like I did, would love to hear from you as well. The biggest takeaways of the game brought to you by Morgan and Morgan, America's largest injury law firm, and the big one, the overall, the overarching theme, is, listen, the last two nights, last two games, I wouldn't count Saturday as a bad game, got beat by a desperate team in their ballpark, it happens.

Sunday was an absolute stinker. Ranger didn't have it, and there wasn't much juice in the ball club. And you excuse that one away. You don't make too big a deal out of it. Then last night happens, and just sloppy baseball, bad pitching, offense shutting it down after scoring some runs early and looking like they were ready to go. And I wouldn't lie to you. The feeling I had heading into today was that little pit in the stomach of, oh, no, did they use up all the magic? Did they, like, peaking too early sounds ridiculous because there's the final, like, two weeks of the season.

but I think you understand what I mean of did they use it all up? Well, I was begging for a laugher, needed a laffer, and boy, to this team, deliver. And they just continue to respond when it feels like the city is, I don't know, I don't know, they continued to respond. It was just like after the series up in New York where, you know, they got demolished and then, you know, it came home, big night against the Braves, and it was fine. So, and they've, you know, rattled off a good, good stretch after that. It was, it was really nice without a lot of stars in there tonight. Harper hurt, J.T. hurt. Tray not back yet

for them to still go out and step on a throw tonight. The last thing I wanted this team to do was have it probably wasn't going to happen because the twins are bad and even though the Marlins are technically even though after the night I don't believe

are still playoff eligible are not great. I didn't need like a two and four week I didn't need a total foot off the gas. One of the things that maybe they could learn off of last year is just powering through and finishing the season and sure you want to be smart you don't want to run guys into the ground but keep on the same routine as best as you can because you do

have a full week off i think they have to do a better job this year i don't know what the answer is but making sure the relievers are as fresh as possible because that was probably the most shocking part of that met series last year was it hoffin and strom just weren't there and they had been money all season long so i did not want this team to just limp their way of the finish line i want them to finish through the finish line and and tonight was a a good step towards doing that they locked up the two seed so they officially are going to have a buy and we'll see everyone at the bank on on october fourth but really really happy and proud of the way they came out tonight set a tone and

sent a message. Scored all their runs by home runs? Eight home runs in the game. And it's just so funny that we're going to look back on this and this is one that could stand for a while. And it was funny. I had to drive my son around in like the seventh inning when they scored

when they hit all the home runs to try to get them asleep. And it is funny that they didn't have their first seven home run game and Francky said this until 1998 and then another one came in 21 was a seven home run game and then they've had two seven home run games in the same month and obviously they surpass that tonight but still for a team that I remember sitting here on the final out saying whenever Rob Thompson would be like we're going to slug we're going to slug I would just mock them like no way you're going to slug well

they've been on a pretty good home run pace for a little while not believe it or not, you need to be able to hit home runs if you want to win in October. It's not all small ball. That has to be in the toolbox, but you also got to exit the ballpark. But I do just think it's funny that we're going to look back on this lineup and who knows how long this record stands. And you're going to say it was a 2025 Phillies. Okay, so Schwerber had to go crazy, right? And Harper had to go crazy and maybe Turner mixed in a home run. Nope. The lineup tonight, Bader, Schwerber, boom, Castellanos, Otto Kemp, Edmundo Sosa,

Weston Wilson, Bryson Stott, and Raphael Marchand. That's the lineup that set the team record in home runs in a game. Baseball, baby. That's why it's the best sport in the world. 215-592, 94-94 to get in. Second biggest takeaway, Schwerber can, he can really do it.

We've kind of talked about it loosely on the station. I'm sure amongst your friends, you're like, yay, it has to go pretty nuts to take down Ryan Howard. It's squarely within reach right now. And the biggest question I think we're going to all ask ourselves from now until the end of the season is, do you really want him to do it? And if you asked me a week ago, I would have said no.

I love Kyle Schwabert. I hope that this year ends in a World Series parade and a huge contract. But there was that sentimental side of me, nostalgic side of me. It said, I like that Ryan Howard is the Phillies single season, all-time home run king. Ryan Howard, I mean, the guy's a, was a Hall of Fame talent whose career was cut short by an Achilles injury, that this is his one thing. You know, I mean, he's a lot with the Phillies, but this was the main one. Obviously, the MVP was great, but 58 home runs, homegrown guy, world series champion, fifth round pick turned into the superstar.

I liked that Ryan Howard was the all-time home run gang. But I'd be lying if I told you now how close we are and how fun these last couple of games would be if Schwabber just inches closer and closer to passing him. So, again, I'd be fine if he didn't because I like that it's Ryan Howard. But at this point, it'd be pretty freaking sweet and a nice cherry on top for what has obviously been a ridiculous regular season for Kyle Schwerber. And maybe it could be just another little sprinkle of magic on what is hopefully a world series season for this team.

So I'm definitely not rooting against them. I think it'd be fun, and Schwabber being the all-time home run king, would just cement himself as one of the best contract seasons of all time. So Schwerber is within reach. I cannot believe that. I remember sitting, I think, before the season, maybe last off-season and saying, are we ever going to see someone in a Philly's uniform

approach Ryan Howard territory? I know Shorber could hit a 40-something, but 50-some? What a season. What a season. Bill is in East Hampton. What's happening, Bill? Hey, Jack. How you doing, my friend?

Oh, man, beautiful night down to the ballpark tonight. Yes, it was. I've got to tell you, man, everybody, what team ever could lose their ace? They lost Wheeler, they lost Alvarado. I know that it was months ago and they lost their lead-off hitter and they lost their clean-up hitter. But what team could take that much loss

and come back and win? But they did it. I know. I know. I don't know another team in the league that could take that kind of loss and be able to come through. Well, it's something that Rob Thompson has said about this ball club

a lot is about how resilient they are. I think a couple things. I think it does show how resilient they are. I think it does show that they've been through a lot of wars together. I think the Wheeler thing specifically was one that kind of woke them up or was a real rallying cry because they knew his

season was over. These other injuries they knew they were coming back. And I just think that that kind of thing for a team that's been together for a while. I also think the final point here, Bill, is I think it does show that the organizational depth is in a much healthier place than it was even last year or the year before

where they can bring up guys that are contributing, they can supplement them by signing a Walker Bueller and making these little moves to kind of protect themselves. I think they're much healthier organizationally to where they do have the depth that they haven't had in years past. Yes, I agree. I mean, yeah, it's great, man. It's really a special, special season that. that I'm glad that they didn't let it carry over yesterday's performance,

and they just stepped out of throat tonight and did a job and came to the ballpark, locked on the two-seat. They didn't have to deal with the Dodgers, needing them to lose to lock it up. They went out there and took care of business and set a franchise record in the meantime. 2-15-592-94-94 to get in. On the other side, we've got to talk about one of the other stars of the game. Actually, I didn't even mention the biggest star of the game. We'll get to the player of the game and the pitch count as well.

Coming up next on the final out on Sports Radio 94, WIPA. Here's a swing in a high-drive left field. That's on its way. And that's a three-run home run for Edmundo Sosa. How's that for a return to the lineup? Solo shot his last time up and a three-run bomb to straightaway left field this time. And the Phillies breaking it open now in the football. bottom of the fifth they lead it six to one welcome back it is leading off jack fritz hanging out

with you on this wednesday night reacting to a historic night down at the ballpark in one in which the phillies were able to lock up the number two seed in the national league playoffs and moososa our player of the game brought to you by south jersey gas conserved helping customers and the community save energy and money visit south jersey gas dot com slash conserve That was the second home run. His third home run, which, you know, there's a culver fan interference. It got overturned. The Ops knew what they had to do tonight.

I would say Imunozosa looks pretty healthy. Last night, I was begging for him to have been activated because I guarantee he would have blocked the ball at second base that would have not allowed that run to score. And they probably win that game last night. But regardless, if Munozosa comes up big tonight, and the crazy part about Amunda, But those balls, especially the second, those balls were crushed.

He was hitting lasers out of the ballpark tonight. And Munozosa, everyone's favorite player, love himunozosa. Does he find his way into a playoff start? I mean, Stott's been hitting the ball really well. He hit a home run tonight. Obviously, Turner's coming back from injury. I mean, they're going to play Trey Turner. Bome.

He benched Bome last year in the postseason, but Bome, since he's, he's coming off the IL has been ridiculous. The thing to monitor with Bome, I don't want to get ahead of myself. Would never do it. Just saying, he is starting to lift and launch a little bit. He's starting to pull the ball in the air. He's only 30.

He's only 30 when he's figuring out to pull the ball of the air. But regardless, you like to see it. So, listen, Edmudo Zos is a super, super, superstar level utility player. Love them. Every team. Needs him, winning player. and man, a three-home run game. The first Philly shortstop to ever have a three-home-run game is at Mundo Sosa.

That's awesome. That is awesome. Everyone loves the Bundo Sosa. Let's go back to the phones. James in Nashville. Wow, what's happening, James? What's up, Fritzie? How you doing, pal?

Pretty good, man. You know what? You know what this year reminds me of with the Phil's, man? man. This is going to be the new 2017 birds, man. There it is. This is the year. This is the year.

It's all Philly's derangement syndrome. We're burning the boats. It doesn't matter about any Jalen Hertz passing yards. It's all about the fills, dude. This is the year. Dude, tonight was a big, a big step in the right direction of getting that and I appreciate the phone call, James. You know, the thing that we learned by the 17 Eagles by the end of the year,

and obviously it's a better comp than last year's Eagles, because last year's Eagles were just a Dom squad. The 17 team, they were dominant when Carson was in there, but obviously it got rocky. But I think we learned by the end of the year that they had the most complete team of football, the deepest roster in football. And I think that's what we're learning about this Phillies team. is they've got Edmunozosa on the bench.

They can bring Otto Kemp. They can go West and Wilson if they need to against lefties. They have platoon options and right with Cassiano's and Kepler. Cassianos hitting like, what, 300 in the month in September? Maybe they just go back to that full-time. If Kepler continued to struggle, I know I got the hit last night. But starting staff-wise, they've, done a really good job post losing wheeler bullpen for a majority of time has been fine but man

the last seven games has not been been pretty tonight was fine but it was it was weren't the high leverage guys that you would like to see obviously duron now you get a little nervous when he enters into a ball game they need to find the right righty getting him the ball you know whether it's robertson or kirkering is i i wouldn't trust him at all in a postseason game right now. It looks like he's in his own head. Robertson, I still mostly, mostly trust, because he's had some big moments that he's gotten out of recently, even though I know his last 12 outings have not been as crisp, but that is off of a sudden concern, but if they can get Robertson going and, you know, Strom's really picked

it up. They should have enough out in the bullpen. So I think what we, I think there's a lot of talk with affiliates being the most complete team in baseball. And, you know, lineup-wise, when they're doing their thing, rotation-wise, mostly bullpen-wise, it's easy to see why. That is something that a lot of people say. Now, what I think we could have seen tonight was the game two starter. The pitch count brought to you by the Plumbers Union Local 690. Protecting the health of the nation, visit plumbers 690.org.

Lazzardo tonight, 103 pitches, set a career high innings, strikeouts. He was masterful. You can't take out what happened in the middle of the season, like that six, seven start middle of the season where there was tipping pitches and there was struggles with him pitching out of the stretch. And, you know, the Brewer start was in there. There was 20 runs allowed in two outings, which was, jarring. He can't take all of it out. But as a whole, I think he still ended this year.

If I'm correct, he ended the year with an ERA under four with those outings. He, for a majority of this season, is pitched to like a 2527 ERA. He's been great. And the reason why I like him pitching at home in game two is I think he is someone who would really feed off of that crowd whereas ranger i don't think it matters and i think that ranger would do better in a road environment whereas lazardo i could see himself hyping himself up a little bit too much in getting maybe too amped whereas at home i think he could channel it better and you look at what the upside of what a lazardo star can be it's dominant i mean he is competitive within the strike zone.

He had 40-some pitches through two innings tonight, and then ended giving them seven and 100-plus. He's getting into that thing where if you don't get to him early, it's game over for you. You've got to get to Jesus Lazzardo early. I mean, the Met Star was a perfect example of that where he allowed four and then pitched eight innings after that. No walks tonight, 10 strikeouts,

competitive within the strike zone and always being aggressive. I think the biggest thing that has changed for Lazzardo in the middle of this season is that I thought during the time he was struggling is when runners got on, he folded. There was a lot of times this year where Lazzardo would fold. And there had to have been a switch flip for him in the middle of the season where he said, I'm done with that. I'm going to go do me, and I'm going to be aggressive. And I think that's something that Caleb Cotham, one of his strengths,

is having little messages for these pitchers. You know, they had a whole mantra in the bullpen last year, bleep all hitters. They, Mick Abel, who could forget, was a Philly this year, but Caleb Cotham changed his mindset, and I think he did the same thing with Lazzardo. And the guy that you're seeing now is everything that scouts have, dreamed about with Hazus Lizardo forever. So he was brilliant. He's been brilliant. He's been

competitive. He's been a bulldog. He's taken down innings. This is a guy who I think the Marlins gave up on because they felt like his arm was hanging on by a threat. Well, he proved them completely wrong. He took the ball every fifth day. He was, he was pitching, some pitches at 99 tonight. His last start of the season, now he's going to get a nice little time off. But Lazardo game two, you know, it allows they can be pretty aggressive in game one if they want, but with that off day in between game one and game in game two, should have a full complement of bullpen pieces that for some reason he falters and it doesn't rise to the occasion. But I don't think that's going to happen. I think Lizarro, I think Lizarro has arrived.

and him pitching at CBP and the emotion he would feel, oh, I'm already having visions of it. It's going to be a long week and a half. It's going to be a long week and a half until October 4th and 5th. Delco Frankie. What's happening, Delco Frankie? Hey, Jack, love you, baby. I have to admit, your theory about Lazzardo and Ranger,

I feel that's very solid. you know I agree with interest he has ice in his veins you pitch anywhere I think like you said Lizarro gets a little extra when he pitches at home

totally and I think you've seen that the last his last couple of home outings he's pitched with a ton of emotion and I just think that he would really really feed off the energy in the ballpark

oh absolutely but that I actually came to that realization while I was listening on the week but my initial my initial point that I wanted to make was I'm a giant Eagles fan absolutely

I'm a four before actually but that giant Eagles fan and that game was awesome but I'll tell you what the Phillies did they said hold my beer boom came out eight home runs clinched the division clinched the second place yeah

they have the buy week the Phillies basically just said hey hey we're still here we're still here so we're still here and we're going to do something yeah and actually check i'm i'm i'm on board 100%

all right i appreciate there is a buff baby let's do it let's do it let's do it let's do it frankie yeah again we can we don't need to look down on the fills because the eagles are playing good good football we get it they're great they're the best you know but the little engine that good fills

we're still here we're still here all right on the other side Look ahead through tomorrow. Rest your phone calls. It's actually a big, big start tomorrow for one of the Phil's pitchers. So we'll get to that. Coming up next here on the final out on Sports Radio 94 WIPA. Swung on.

Lifted to deep left. On his way back to the wall, Sonoa, that one is gone. Back to back for Schwabre and Baum. That's number 11 on the season for Attic. And it's the sixth homer hit tonight by the Phillies. not getting ahead of myself but boom pulling the ball in the air maybe he was dealing with a real shoulder injury that it was zapping some of that power we've been talking about for so long definitely do not want to get ahead of myself but i think he's going to be in the cleanup spot when tray's back and i think it'll go

i think it'll go trey swarber harper boom and then marsh baiter if i had to guess i think that'll be the top six in the lineup. I think Bome is going to be right back where he was at the end of last season. Welcome on back. It is the final out. Jack Fritz hanging out with you on this Wednesday night. It seems like no one wants the last wildcard spot. Reds lose two straight at home to the Pirates. He lost an extras tonight, even with Paul Skeens on the mound. And the Cubs are just blasting the Mets. and I don't know why I mean I get I guess I understand why I still have like a little bit of Metsphere

I just don't want them to make the playoffs I just don't want to deal with it just in case just in case they for some reason switch to flip or flip the switch and they're fine and they go on a run they're definitely not that good but I was worried last night

was the Francisco Alvarez home run that he hit against the Cubs late to give them the lead and eventually the win was that the thing that was going to get them going turns that it wasn't jonathan got lit up tonight and and they are down 10 to the brewers won earlier today so the Phillies pretty much would have to win out to get the one seed which stinks could have been one and a half had they won last night but uh nevertheless nevertheless carlos is in north philly what's happening carlos us? Hey, what's going on, man? It's my first time getting through. I'm so happy. That's cool

with that. Appreciate it, man. How's it going? Hey, well, first and foremost, I just want to say, how lucky are we as Philadelphia fans right now? Special time. You have the Phillies running on all cylinders, and the Eagles are just trucking along. Yeah? Yeah. I'm lucky enough to be able to go to the Eagles games because I got season tickets and and I got Phillies tickets too. So I see all this.

I actually call after every game. It's my first time getting through. Wow, that's awesome, man. We finally got you in. Yeah, yeah. It's just, it's one of these times where, listen, we can complain about the passing game, complain about little things with the Eagles.

They won 19 straight games, essentially. And then with the Phillies, it's like, yeah, there's little flaws, of course. You want to see them kind of breakthrough, but man, they just clinched the number two-seated in the National League. They're going to win 95-plus games again. Hopefully they can just get the World Series done and let this core that has been so great right off from the sunset,

even though it's not really sunset, but you know what I mean. Like a cherry on top of what has been a great run for this group. I just want to add to that that the only ones that are going to beat the Phil's this year are the Phils. Yeah. Yeah, I think you're right about it. about that that's it there's no if we continue what we're doing there is no reason why we're not strutting down broad street i need it carlos i need it the way philadelphia is going this year

guys like this is special times if we don't see this for what it is like it's going to pass us by and we're going to lose it the eagles are trucking along we're we're i went through the super bowl It was crazy. This right here is going to be something else, but it's not done. Philadelphia is lucky enough to be in its prime right now. And if we don't wake up and see what's going on right in front of us, we got one of the best quarterbacks, we got one of the best baseball teams out there, no matter what each individual does on their own as a collective,

these guys get together. I saw Sosa today SWAT three. It was crazy. Yeah, yeah, and I appreciate the phone call. And the Sixers brought back the black jerseys. We're back. We're so back as the city. Tomorrow, Walker Bueller on the mound.

It's a big start for Walker Bueller because if he goes out and shoves again, they're going to give Nola a playoff start. Not too worried about that. I get just kind of have to deal with it. But for some reason, if he falters or there's an end. injury? I don't know. But who say Bueller doesn't have to start a playoff game? It would probably take till the NLCS, but he's been in big moments. He's allowed one World Series run in 19 appearances. And the other thing with Bueller, given that now Robertson's a question mark and

Kirkering is a question mark, could be a leverage righty out of the pen where they need him to come into a big spot in the 7th and 8th. Do I totally trust that's going to go well at this point? I wouldn't say I'm there, but he's not going to be afraid of the moment where I feel like Kirkering has reached that point. And you've seen some life on the fastball. I thought his last outing out in Arizona, he's probably not a, I mean, by the fourth I thought it was kind of running out of gas, but the first three innings were fine.

And you saw some life back on that fastball, and maybe it plays up even more if he's just saying, hey, one inning, go give us what you got. I like starting pitchers in that kind of spot where they have multiple pitches that they can go to. So they're not just a one pitch guy or two pitch guy. Bueller has a lot of things that he can throw out people, especially for one inning. So continuing to see the development of Walker Bueller is big, and he'll be on the mound tomorrow for the Phil. It's a little earlier 605, but there is rain in the forecast. So we'll see if they even get that one in tomorrow. But that's going to do it for me.

Thanks to everyone who tuned in and called in for the final out tonight. Don't you go anywhere. Tom Kelly, TK, he'll take you through the rest of the night here on Sports Radio 94 WIPP. 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. a week, I'm joined by one of my amazing co-hosts 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 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.