High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Phillies Offense Is Clicking

Episode Date: August 12, 2023

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies' 13-2 drubbing of the Twins on Friday night. 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

All-star closer, Kenley Jansen, we have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball Isn't Boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago and is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is.

Another fact, so jump aboard the BIB Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome on in. It is the final out, sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable never looks so good. Jack Fritz hanging out with you here on this Friday night reacting to what is

just a beatdown, just an absolute beatdown of the Minnesota Twins down at Citizens Bank Park tonight, a just beautiful night for baseball and a game in which, yes, the Phillies were losing. They were losing that game tonight. Again, cannot believe that a Major League Baseball team decided in the year 2023 with legitimate playoff hopes decided, you know what we need? We need Dallas Keuchel. I mean, like, I don't think Dallas Keuchel could get out in the PSAC.

Like, frankly, as a Division II baseball player, not sure he could get the job done there either. Either way, Phil's got some runs. They kept scoring runs. They didn't let up. And they came out tonight, showed up, and it's starting to have that special feeling

back at Citizens Bank Park. 215-592-9494 if you're leaving the ballpark. Would love to hear from you, but let's get to the biggest takeaway of the game, which is brought to you by Morgan & Morgan. And my biggest takeaway from the game is it's so fascinating what has just happened in the last week. And it really feels like the energy, the electricity, the players, the fans,

all kind of feeding off of each other, this is what 09 to 11 felt like. And I tweeted that earlier tonight, and people were like, well, what about 07, 08? It's like, yeah, 07, you had to chase down the Mets, but still, I mean, it wasn't like they were an established team by that point. They had some stars. They were playing pretty good baseball,

but we didn't know those Phillies yet. 08, again, they made the postseason the year before. There was obviously good energy at the ballpark. But it wasn't the same as post-08, which was when we got the sellout streak. And Citizens Bank Park was the place to be all summer long. Well, the last week has been the – there's place to be all summer long. Well, the last week has been the – there's been great crowds all year long. People have been showing up.

But it's been more like, yeah, I want to go down to the ballpark and see what the team's got. Now it's like a freaking party down there. And like Rocco Baldelli was talking about before the game, just this kind of crowd raises your level of intensity for your players. And that's what Citizens Bank Park did for those guys in 09 to 11, where the fans and the crowd, they were a difference maker. And this last week, just an absolute freaking difference maker. I mean, this time last week, we were reacting to the Trey Turner standing ovations. And looking back now, it might have changed the season. Like 33,000 were in there

tonight. And the last couple of years, we've seen 33,000 crowd games. And it didn't sound like that. That CBP sound is back. And those of you that know what I'm talking about, you understand what I mean by that. Little bit of roar, electric all the time, people into every pitch. That's what we're getting back to. And that's what this week has been. And I think it's what has made this week so intoxicating and so fun and something that I think people want to talk about and be a part of. And I feel like WIP has a really good pulse on what the city cares about and what they want to talk about and be a part of. And I feel like WIP has a really good pulse on what the city cares about

and what they want to talk about. I feel like we barely talked Eagles this week, and this is like the most anticipated training camp. Obviously, last year was as well, but it feels like 04. And it's almost been drowned out by what is going on with this baseball team and what the the energy around the city is and i'm just i'm just so happy i'm just so happy that we're having that feeling again because like this is what i was waiting for like we were all waiting for last year's

postseason ron and like getting back and feeling postseason baseball again and they exceeded our expectations but this being in on it every night, texting your buddies, it's a Friday night, it's a weekend night, you're watching the game, it's a weekday night, whatever. People are talking about Phillies baseball all the time right now. And as a diehard baseball fan, as someone that never believed that baseball was dead in this city, I am just so glad that we are back to this and we are back to this team mattering. And guess what? They are starting to reward us. What an offensive performance. And like a lot has been talked about with the standing ovations. And I mean, maybe it's overkill.

I mean, maybe it's overkill. But again, I said it last night, and I'll keep saying it. You can't convince me that they would have played this way had those ovations not happened. Because how they were playing at home, you know, maybe what, the last month and a half before that Royals series, was a team that I felt like was walking in to a place where they felt like the fans were on them and they would play tight because of it. I thought the Stars, and when the Stars were letting this team down

and weren't playing to where they could for a majority of the season, I feel like a lot of that was home because all those guys wanted to be the guy, and they wanted to get the roar out of the crowd, and they wanted it to feel like last October and last November. And what the standing ovations did is it went from Citizens Bank Park going from a place where it feels like the fans are on you to a place where it feels like the fans are on you to a place where it feels like the fans are with you. And that's a big difference.

That's what the 08-11 team had, was the fans being with you, not against you. Against you is a strong term. But on you and waiting for something to happen and having a tense feel. Citizens Bank Park, for a majority of the season, felt like it had a tense feel. Now it has a party atmosphere. And you're just seeing this team's true colors. And, I mean, think about it. First off, obviously it was easy.

They were scoring a ton of runs. It was fun. But I'm seeing Trey Turner look like he's having the most fun he's had as a Philly so far. And you want to know the biggest sign that the vibes are high and the excitement's high and everyone's down there having fun? I mean, JT's night. Not only does he go opposite field for a home run, goes opposite way early for a game-tying single, but he's messing around with Chris Sanchez on the mound.

Kyle Schwarber fouls a ball off his foot, and he's busting his stones in the dugout. JT is a very, very serious ball player. The fact that he's just like... We've never seen that version of JT. That's how you know you got something special brewing down at Citizens Bank Park. 215-592-9494 is how you get in. That's my biggest takeaway of the game, which is brought to you by Morgan & Morgan,

America's largest injury law firm. Some other things I saw tonight, and it starts really with our player of the game, which is brought to you by South Jersey Gas, committed to providing safe, reliable, affordable natural gas. Make the switch at southjerseygas.com slash lovemyhome. And I'm going with Trey Turner. Again, this time last Friday night, he gets cheer. He goes one for four.

He talks after the game. His mom's crying. The next night, he hits the home run, and boom. Look at what we've got from Trey Turner in this homestand. He's betting 406. He's had six doubles and two home runs. And the dude, he just looks comfortable. He just looks totally comfortable.

This looks much like what World Baseball Classic Trey looked like. The defense is night and day. I mean, that was the biggest thing when, you know, Friday night happened and Saturday and like, ah, well, have they really worked? I mean, just seeing how he played defense I thought was a big sign for it. It worked. Didn't go big fly tonight, but was just smoking balls. And I think this is, again,

we're starting to see the real Trey Turner. And the fact that at the trade deadline, they may have added the real Trey Turner, that's a pretty big offensive piece to add into the mix. But man, the offense is

slowly starting to remind me of what those Nationals teams look like under Kevin Long. He's not the same player. He was great that year. He was an MVP candidate. But what Alec Boehm's doing at the plate right now is reminiscent of what Anthony Rendon did. Obviously, Trey Turner is here now. is reminiscent of what Anthony Rendon did. Obviously, Trey Turner is here now.

But, you know, like what Bryson Stott brings to this offense, hitting over.300, also, you know, hitting a ball out tonight. JT starting to kind of turn a corner here. Kyle Schwarber, second most walks in baseball right now. They are making super hard contact. It feels like they're on every single pitch. They are slugging on fastballs, which is something that I feel like has plagued a lot of these guys for a majority of the year.

I mean, just look at the swings that Nick Castellanos has taken in the last couple nights. I mean, every freaking ball. He's just all over it. He's totally all over it. He's back over to 282 now, I believe, tonight. Didn't hit a home run, but he had three hits. They are just crushing mistakes.

The home runs, thank God, they have three tonight. They're finally starting to leave the ballpark. They're 7-1 in their last eight, and their only loss was when they hit less than three runs in a game. So home runs are important. Citizens Bank Park, obviously known for that, but they're starting to do that. And I haven't felt the strikeouts.

Like, you could kind of feel them at the beginning of the year. And this is what that Nationals lineup was like. They were just freaking relentless. It was crushing fastballs, not missing mistakes, drawing walks, a lot of ducks in the pond, and having good contact guys driving the ball into the gaps. I mean, that 2019 Nationals offense was a machine. This Phillies offense, slowly but surely, starting to resemble that. And that makes me just super pumped.

And final thing here in the open is that I said it before the game, I thought Chris Sanchez's last start was more of a blip in the radar, wasn't too concerned about it, went out tonight, and thankfully proved me right. He let out the back-to-back home runs. That was about it. And Christopher Sanchez, I've said it a couple times during his little streak here, it's like him and Ranger Suarez

just switched bodies and was like, cause this is what watching Ranger has usually been like. It's just free, easy up, down, up, down, soft contact,

yada, yada, yada, not getting hit all around the ballpark. And, and we'll see what happens here going forward with this rotation. But Chris Sanchez, who I thought this is,

this was make or break time for him. Keeping his rotation spot went out tonight. And I thought did his job. Two time for him keeping his rotation spot, went out tonight and I thought did his job. 2-1-5-5-9-2, 94-94 is how you get in. Let's kick it off with Collin in North Wales. What's happening, Collin? How you doing, Jay? How you doing? Doing great, man. How are you?

Good, good, good. So the first thing is Christopher Sanchez keeping up the bit where starters get hit a little bit and just proves the rest of the way. Obviously, the offense did help him out, which was good. Also, earlier I was looking to see that the Phillies this year, they're on pace for, I believe, 60 more walks than last year, which is just astronomical. It's somewhere like in the 520 range. I think that's obviously contributing.

And as much as Trey is the best storyline of the season probably so far, I'm the most hyped that Castellanos coming out of the break obviously slumped and found his groove. And I feel like him and Schwarber, when they're clicking, not only on the field but in the clubhouse, it just will take this team to, you know, unprecedented territory. Well, I mean, we've seen a totally, totally different Nick Castellanos this year. And he's been funny. I mean, he had the he's just been like an even month guy, like great month, bad month, great month, bad month.

But man, like his July, when he was 11 for 94, whatever, it was tough. I mean, his OPS was in the 300s at one point, you know, I think he ended the month in the 400s. And just being able to bounce back. I mean, we talked about the Trey Turner home run against the Royals last Saturday as like a possible season changer. I mean, Nick Cassiano sitting the home run off David Robertson out in Miami could have been equally as big because he has been ridiculous since. You know, I think Cassie is the upbeat guy regardless. I believe during that slump he was probably still in the clubhouse

keeping everybody in line, which you don't usually see. Usually sometimes when guys slump, they kind of revert into their own corner. And, you know, some guys in the color has probably picked them up off of that. So I think it's good that, you know, they pop off for 13 runs without Bryce because it only adds to the hype when, you know, you add an MVP caliber person back into the lineup. So great to see a great weekend of baseball. I believe they're going to go out and sweep it.

Don't want to jinx it, but the twins aren't that good. So, you know, very hyped for the following month to come. Appreciate it, Colin. Yeah, well, the one big difference is that they will not have to face Dallas Keuchel the next two nights, Pablo Lopez, and Sonny Gray on Sunday afternoon. So a little different caliber of pitching. But, yeah, Nick Castellanos, you know,

what a redemption story for him this year. I mean, he's got the Scooby-Doo thing. He's, you know, there's been stories early in the year where he felt like he needed to step up. When Reese Hoskins went down as, like, one of the leaders on this team, I thought one of the moments of the season was him on the top step cheering on Trey when the crowd was getting behind him and kind of leading leading that charge I thought that was an interesting moment he's really developed into a leader guy and I did not think that they were getting that in Castellanos when they signed him but man it's been a it's been a true true true revelation for this team 215-592-9494 is how you get it It's Jack Fritz hanging out here on the final out.

On the other side, there was one negative tonight or concern that we have to get into because it could have ramifications for the next little bit here. And also, some thoughts on the starting rotation as it goes forward here. An interesting comment from Rob Thompson postgame. It's Jack Fritz here on the final out. One and one, the pitch. Swung on, hit in the air.

Deep left. I think he got it. He did. Johan Rojas with his first Major League home run. It's a two-run home run here in the bottom of the eighth inning. It comes off Jordan Luplo. here in the bottom of the eighth inning. It comes off Jordan Luplo.

And Rojas circles the bases, and the Phillies have a 13-2 lead. Where were you the night that Johan Rojas hit his first home run in Major League Baseball off of Jordan? I mean, Franski laid that on a little thick. I mean, look at Luplo. He had pretty good stuff out there. I did appreciate the Craig Kimbrell kind of imitation. And I also appreciated that the next pitch, Johan Rojas deposited into the seats.

And he didn't have to, but he did apologize, you know, after the, you know, after rounding the bases. I wonder, I don't know. Like, you'll never give them back your first home run, but I do wonder if there's a little part of them that's like, eh, I kind of wish my first home run was off of an actual pitcher. But regardless, pretty cool moment down at Citizens Bank Park. Rojas, I just think has been such a –

and JT mentioned this after the game in his postgame hit there on TV, just about how they brought up some of these young guys, and they brought energy like a lot of the last year guys did. And that's kind of a daycare has formed. Like Maytown was a part of it. Veerling was a part of it. Moniak at the beginning was a part of it. Then obviously Bowman Stott.

And having young guys around veterans, I just think kind of breathes new life into, to, to baseball lifers that have been through the grind and, and want to tell people to calm down rather than go have fun. And, and I think the, the excitement and the energy that Johan Rojas has,

has brought to his team. And, and I mean, just the defense, I mean, he's on pace. I saw this today from Ben Silver to shatter like if he if he played an entire 162 shatter the all-time defensive run saves uh metric stat which again i don't totally

know but like he's on pace to have one of the best like he he is one of the best defensive players in the sport and it's just like every single time a ball is hit to the outfield, I'm just surprised if he's not there. It could almost be like Schwarber could almost not move in left field. And I feel like Johan Rojas is somehow going to get there. I mean, between him and Pache and – I mean, it's funny because when Brandon Marsh got here last year, it was like, wow, what a revelation.

We have like a real defensive center fielder. And all we've seen since then is like how, first it was Pache, and it was like, okay, this is definitely special. I mean, the catch out in Oakland. But then you see Rojas, the guy just glides to everything. And I just feel like every time he plays, something winning happens with him. I feel like he's just a winning type baseball player. And even if it's not always him and whatever, winning things happen when Johan Rojas is playing. And obviously what he does in the field is contributing to a lot of wins.

I mean, the dude, like I didn't see Gary Maddox play, but I mean, if two-thirds of the earth is covered by water and the rest is covered by Gary Maddox, I feel like we could recreate that shirt. I mean, listen, vintage styles back in, but put Johan Rojas on there because it seems like the same thing. Just ridiculous. He gets to everything. His reads are perfect. There'll be a ball that I feel like has a chance of going out, and I see him gliding back there and all my tension. Think about

the amount of Odubel Herrera baseball we've had to watch for the last six years and then now get to watch Johan Rojas. It is so refreshing. Either way, the Johan Rojas home run is the Mike's Amazing play of the game presented by Mike's Amazing. The official mayo, mustard, and vegetable oil of the Phillies. This is the final out. Sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable.

Never look so good. I'll get some thoughts on some worries from the night here in one second. But Paula is calling from Potsdam. What's happening, Paula? Hello. How are you doing? I'm doing great. How are you feeling after that big win?

I think the best night was just two nights ago. But my beginning of the week, you were speaking about the fans in Philadelphia, that the people understand the game. And they respect that these players come out. This was a long stretch that every single day they're out there working and smiling and batting at night for us. That's why I feel there was such a strong response from the fans for Turner. Because he's a likable guy. He's very talented. And he just made himself known through his actions. And now when I was driving from Philly

back home here in Pottstown the other night, I was on 23 after coming through Upper Marion, and I was headed for 422. And I think it's on 202 that there's a huge billboard where he actually put out thank you philly now that's a classy guy yeah it really is paul and i appreciate the call um and uh he said after the game yesterday that it was like him and and kevin greg i guess got together and um thought it'd be a nice thing to put out and and the phillies have just totally crushed like everything i feel like the last year and a half you know pr wise and um you know getting good messages out there and and trey just having you know trey realizing kind of the moment and not being like, ah, the fans didn't have much to do with it.

Like, this is on me. I think that's a lot about him. And honestly, what it says to me is that he needed it. And, like, again, that's what I felt like so many people were missing was, like like the human element of this. And, and yeah, the, the,

the billboard was special and it's just been, what a run four Oh six, six doubles and two homers, you know, since last Friday night. So special stuff from Trey Turner. One cause for concern here is Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. Bryce was not available to pinch hit.

They didn't need them. It seemed like it was more day-to-day. I wonder if they kind of tried to extend this out a little bit and not force him back into the lineup or rush him back in. Schwarber, I don't know. I mean, the fact that they were kind of joking around with him in the dugout after was a good sign, I think. I mean, the fact that he felt cognizant enough

or in good enough spirits to throw something at JT for kind of ripping him a little bit, I think is a good sign. Fell the ball off his foot. Hopefully it's not like a broken toe or a broken foot or anything like that, but definitely something to monitor tomorrow and going forward for sure. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94 is how you get in. On the other side, a look ahead to tomorrow and the rest of the weekend here on the final lap

before handing things off to Rob Ellis. It's Jack Fritz hanging out with you. Hey, fantasy football owners. The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception. Join me and James Coe as we take a deep dive into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster. Wide receivers. We analyze route running, target share, and all the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster. Wide receivers.

We analyze route running, target share, and all the metrics that matter, giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers. As you prep for your draft, let us give you the coverage you need. Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome on back. It is the final out, sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable never looks so good.

Jack Fritz hanging out with you, reacting to a big, big, big, monstrous Phil's win down at Citizens Bank Park tonight. The offense just continuing to carry this thing. And I think a lot of it obviously has to do with Trey being back. But, again, he didn't really do much tonight. It's just everything looks better and makes more sense with Boehm in that two spot. And the offense, since he's gotten there, I mean, tonight, so it was about six and a half runs per game with him batting too.

I mean, with the 13 tonight, obviously has to go up a little bit there. I haven't ran the numbers on it, but maybe over seven now runs per game with Alec Boehm hitting too. So it's been an impressive run by this offense. And, again, just starting to look more and more like that Nationals offense that Kevin Long had down in Washington. A lot of hard contact, you know, not a ton of strikeouts, hitting home runs, slugging fastballs, and it's great.

I mean, this is what we were kind of promised heading into the season. Let's talk to Zach, who is leaving the game. What's happening, Zach? Hey, Jack. What's going on, man? That was really fun. It's hard to describe what the atmosphere was like. It's been a while since it felt that fun for just a regular season game.

And it's just awesome to see the guys do what we know they can do. If they just play the way they should, we're going to win a lot of ballgames. Well, that's what's so funny is that there's only 33,000 there tonight. There's been bigger crowds throughout this year. But this week, you just felt like the crowds have been that extra little electricity, extra little decibel level, maybe it's because people are more locked in and focused and they don't want to miss a moment of this.

But even with 33,000 there tonight, it felt bigger than that, and it felt louder than that. Yeah. Sometimes you'd think by now people start looking towards the Eagles because we're going to have a great football season as well. Yeah, I did hear one Eagle chant tonight, which was very disappointing. Yep. It's all right.

Like, just, you know, it's great that, you know, we can't forget about the Phillies. Like, they're there to play a great game every night. Well, that is the goal, Zach, and I appreciate the call. I just, the Eagles chants annoy me more than they should. It's like, we'll get to the Eagles. All right? You know, when the Phillies were bad and there was no one in the stadium

and it's the seventh inning and the bullpen's coming in, I get it. When they're up 11-2, I don't need an Eagles chant. I don't care for it. It's whatever. 11-2, I don't need an Eagles champ. I don't care for it. Whatever. You'll get your Eagles tomorrow. You get your little Eagles in September. You get your Eagles November.

I don't need the Eagles when the Phillies are on a great run right now. I know it's kind of fun. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Not on my watch. Tomorrow, 6.05 start. Push up an hour. Obviously, some pregame festivities

going on with the alumni weekend and all that stuff. Pablo Lopez on the mound versus Tywin Walker. Tywin Walker, I'm looking forward to see if he can continue his bit that he has going on right now where he allows three runs within the first three innings he allows you know three runs in the within the first three innings and then you you blink and it's the sixth inning and he's he's still out

there doing his thing I also really enjoy when he comes out throwing 88 miles an hour that's always a fun thing to start off with and freaking out like there's no more freak out than the first three innings of a time on walker start so um regardless he's been he's the most wins in baseball which is still a funny you funny kind of thing to look at. But regardless, going up against Pablo Lopez, who is really good. I mean, Pablo Lopez was traded for Luis Iriz, who has obviously been unbelievable this year for the Marlins. So obviously they give up something of value to get a player like that.

Last six starts, he has a.272 ERA, and that's with a seven-run kind of stinker thrown in there. So, Pablo Lopez, they had their work cut out for them. Great change-up they're going to have to lay off of and look to do damage. But either way, the way this team is playing right now,

and I mentioned on the pregame show, I'm counting down the seconds until the next game. I mean, that's where I'm at with this team, is I'm just counting down the seconds of the next game. I mean, that's where I met with this team, is I'm just counting down the seconds until I get to watch them play again because it's that much fun right now. And seeing them at Citizens Bank Park, knowing the amount of home games we have left,

heading into, you know, obviously, hopefully a postseason series and hopefully a postseason home series. It's just, it's awesome. And that feeling from 09 to 11 is back with this team. And, final thought before handing things off to Rob Ellis. Nine and a half back from the Braves. Just saying. Just saying.

We are in single digits, so the Braves are on the hot seat right now, for sure. Either way, that's going to do it for me. Tucker Bagley produced the program tonight. I'll be back with you Monday for a regular Fred the Six. We don't have any Phil's Baseball. Two off days next week, so I'm sure they

want to push this bullpen if they can with that kind of thing shaking out next week. Either way, that's going to do it for me. Fun night. Robbie, we'll continue taking all of your reaction throughout the night here on Sports Radio 94 WIP.