High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Phillies Win Series In San Diego

Episode Date: September 7, 2023

Jack Fritz reacts to Zack Wheeler's dominant performance in the Phillies win over the Padres. 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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Jack Fritz finally hanging out with you again here on Sports Radio 94 WIP. 215-592-9494 is how you get in and react to a series win out in San Diego. A good bounce back after what happened out in Milwaukee over the weekend. And overall, a 500 road trip, which I know it's like you're kind of lowering expectations, but these were tricky. I mean, the Brewers were playing really good baseball heading into that series. They blew the game Friday night, which was atrocious. Saturday, you know, just didn't have it.

Were able to steal a game in Milwaukee on Sunday. And then they go to San Diego. And listen, the Padres are not great this year. I mean, they've been one of the more disappointing teams in baseball, but you look at that lineup and you know that they can turn it on at any point, and they still have pretty good crowds this week. I mean, today was bad,

but the first two games, I'm pretty sure they're 40-plus thousand each, so it's a tough environment. Obviously, they still have last year's NLCS on their mind. It's not exactly too cupcake road series, even though given the Padres record, you would think it was. So overall, a 500 road trip, I take that. I take that at this point. Like when you're at this point of the season where you just got to just cross the

finish line, don't collapse, you don't have to go in super hot, whatever. Just don't make us totally freak out. I'll take a 500 road trip before coming back home to face the Marlins and whoever else. So I'm happy with it. They take two of three. And a lot of good stuff to get into from today. Let's get to the biggest takeaway of the game,

which is brought to you by Morgan & Morgan. And my biggest takeaway is, you know, it feels like they are a strong bounce-back team. And it's been something that is kind of in their calling card the last couple years. I mean, even if you want to just talk about this road trip, Saturday, or, I mean, Saturday they go out, just ugly, ugly game.

You know, they don't really show up off of a disappointing loss the night before, and they salvage the last game of the series. Last night was really one of the few times where, I mean, even in the game on Saturday against the Brewers, like, it was close for a minute. You know, they did have a lead in that game. I mean, last night they just showed up and didn't look –

like, they're kind of going through the motions out there. Maybe it was Trey Turner leaving. That kind of threw their mojo off. Maybe they took game one and they were like, yeah, we already – you know, we're fine for right now. But yesterday was one of the few times where they didn't show up and they got pretty much boat raced by the Spodrace team. But what you continue to see from them is they do have pretty impressive resolve.

They're not going to win every game after they lose. But they've done a good job of not letting two losses turn into four or five. Which at the beginning of the year, it was like they win two in a row and then they lose five. They were going like these four or five game losing streaks that just kill you. They've done a much better job of that. And part of the reason why I think they do a better job of that is their leadoff hitter. And I can't believe that we still have to have this argument. It's like, can we maybe get out of the 1990s mindset of like you need a speed guy as

your leadoff hitter kyle schwarber's the leadoff hitter and he's really good at it like can we just can we just knock this whole thing out like he's a really good leadoff hitter um he was on base a ton again today i mean game one of the series he's on he was on base five times. And the most important part of Kyle Schwab at the leadoff spot is obviously when he leads off games with kind of statements. And he's had these statements over his first two years in a Phillies uniform. By the way, in his first two years, he might approach 100 home runs. Pretty good. But, you know, like a statement come out, we get blown out the night before, bang, there's 100 home runs. Pretty good. But, you know, like a statement, come out,

we get blown out the night before, bang, there's a home run. 1-0. Unfortunately, they completely wasted a bases loaded, no out situation in the first, which is just annoying. But it's something that they've just not really been great at all year. But either way, Kyle Schwerber being able to lead the game off like that and just kind of give a little exhale to that clubhouse, it's happened a good amount in the last two years.

Obviously, the game down in Houston where they clinched the game in Washington when they lose the first game of that series or first game of that doubleheader he comes out hits a home run in game two and everything ends up being fine he he is a a tone setter for them and that's part of being a leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins was a tone setter for the 07 to 11 Phillies I know Kyle Schor is not the kind of player. He is a tone setter for this team. He is the alpha of this team. He is their leadoff hitter. They win a ton with him in the leadoff spot. Is it all because he's in the leadoff spot? No. But I can't wrap my head around, they're like 23 games over 500 with him in the leadoff spot, and people want him out of there all the time,

even though all he did was win, and they had the best offense in baseball in August. So I just, you know, hopefully we can continue to evolve as baseball fans and understand what this guy does is important, and it's not all about being fast and whatever. It's about impact, and he does it with the home run ball. He does it by being one of the ducks in the pond. I mean, he scored today on a hit. All he does is hit solo home runs.

He's a valuable offensive piece, and you're continuing to see more of that. Bryce Harper. And this is my play of the game, which is brought to you by Mike's Amazing, the official mayo, mustard, and vegetable oil to the Phillies. Good to see Bryce, you know, Chuck Amount, officially off the hot seat for a little bit.

Comes up big. You know, obviously Schwarber leads off with a home run. Then they get bases loaded, no outs. They don't score. They wasted another opportunity in the second. Thank God Bryce Harper came through. It was a two outs. Like, again, two out RBIs are killer for an opposing team.

Bryce Harper comes up, big hit, to give the Phillies a little bit of breathing room. One ball, two strikes, and the pitch to Harper. Swing and a drive, right center field. That'll be down there for a base hit. It's going all the way to the wall. In to score is Sosa. Schwarber being waved around third. He's coming home. There'll be no relay to the wall. In to score is Sosa. Schwarber being waved around third.

He's coming home. There'll be no relay to the plate. It's a two-run double for Harper, who snaps an 0-for-20 with that swing, and it's 3-0 Phillies. Much needed. I mean, just a much, much, much needed hit there by Bryce Harper. Obviously, 0-for-20 heading into the game,

breaks that streak there, gives Zach Wheeler a little bit of breathing room, and they kind of just do their job from that point on. But Bryce kind of getting out of that, hopefully can come home and get back to what he was doing before he went on the road trip, would be just a big, big lift for this team. But either way, it was good to see him get that one out of the way today

and keep this thing rolling. I think Road JT might be the best player in baseball. I mean, another home run today, believe still batting over 300 with a nine 80 plus OPS on the road. It's, it's ridiculous because at home, again, he's,

I think batting 200 at this point or two Oh one with like a six 50 OPS. Maybe it might even be, it might be even be six. Like that's where I was JT at home, but on the road continues to get the job done. I don't know how to explain it. I know Rob Thompson jokes around that, well, he's got the four kids at home.

I don't know. But this guy on the road is a difference maker. So it's good to see him kind of continue that. And listen, they're a team of bits. And road JT is a good bit. And the final initial takeaway here is, you know, it's so interesting where we're at with Trey.

Because, like, before August 4th, like, oh, my gosh, thank God Trey's out of the lineup for a couple games here. I just don't want to watch him anymore. Like, that's how frustrating it got with Trey Turner in this lineup. I am just glad that they survived the Trey Turner games because obviously having Castellanos in the two-hole last night was just dreadful. Again, he saw five pitches in the game

and he grounded a three double plays. I mean, that has to be a record. I don't have the Elias Sports Bureau in front of me. That has to be a record. So they go one-on-one in the trade games. Hopefully he's back Friday. We haven't seen any announcement about his kid being born. But hopefully he's back Friday and get back in the game

because I don't want him away from that for that long, given how hot he was. I don't want him to kind of cool off here. So I'm glad to see they went one-on-one in the trade list games. And it's just fun that, like, a month and a half ago, cool off here. So I'm glad to see they went one-on-one in the Trey-less games. And it's just fun that, like, a month and a half ago, it would have been a godsend that he wasn't in the lineup. And now it's like, man, thank God they survived the two games without Trey.

So it's been an impressive, impressive turnaround here for Trey Turner. That's the biggest takeaway of the game, which is brought to you by Morgan & Morgan, America's largest injury firm. 215-592-9494 is how you get in. My other big takeaway from the game today, and it's an important one, is that Wheeler just continues to look dominant. Just looks dominant. And I know he allowed three runs against the Brewers

over the weekend. It was on one swing, and everything else was pretty dominant. He started a strike, got a ton of guys. His fastball, it's so interesting watching Wheeler because his off-speed, they're pretty much all just show-me pitches. Like, he's never really had a plus off-speed pitch. It just, like, they work, and then he gets strikeouts on them

because he throws so hard that they're going to chase those pitches. But his fastball, again, I don't know what it has to grade out. It's pretty ridiculous. But it has to be one of the best fastballs in the sport. I mean, 16 whiffs on his fastball today. It's ridiculous. So he's had a really strong last four or five starts. I know that national start was ugly.

You know, he had national start was ugly. You know, he had actually two straights. He had the national start in the day game where they just kind of jumped on him or all over him.

He had Sunday night baseball where he allowed four runs in the first but then was dominant after that. Really since that first inning up in Williamsport, he has just looked

incredibly locked in. And like when you start believing and trying to figure out how deep this team can go in the postseason, it's not happening unless Zach Wheeler is Zach Wheeler. So he is looking more and more like the ace with Dottie, you know, is. And when you head into these playoff series against these other teams, whether it's the Cubs, Giants, if you get past those guys and you get to the Braves or Dodgers, I mean, the fact that they'll have the best starter in those series, besides, like, maybe Corbin Burns,

like, I would have Wheeler ahead of Strider. It's a really big advantage. And the fact that we can begin to erase the early season doubts we had with Zach Wheeler is big. Now, if his counterpart, Aaron Old, could join the party, that'd be great. But I don't know. Saturday was just so debilitating from that standpoint. But Zach Wheeler continues to look absolutely dominant for the Phils,

and that's an important thing to mention here. 215-592-9494 is how you get in. On the other side, we'll get to all of your phone calls, but also a good sign out of the bullpen that is starting to get back to his old self. We'll get to that and more of your reaction. Coming up next, it's Jack Fritz here on the Final Out.

Here's the 2-1 and a swing and a drive. High and deep center field. Forget about it. Grisham gives up. He won't even watch. Way up off the batter's eye and dead center field. Kyle Schwarber with his 41st home run of the season and another leadoff shot for Schwarber. It is 1-0 Phillies.

Yeah, it sure was. Absolute shot. And, again, just one of those kind of tone setting. Kyle Schwarber. They lose badly the night before. Bang, here comes out the big man. And he gives them a quick 1-0 lead. And again, just an absolute tank shot.

So 41 on the year. There's like 23 games left. Does he get to 50? Does he get to 50? I mean, listen, he can heat up in a hurry. So that would certainly be a spectacle. But, you know, 46 is officially on the hot seat. Welcome on back.

It is the final out. Sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable never looks so good. Reacting to Phil's taking two or three out in San Diego. And, you know, just continuing, you know, ever since that's what's in. Kind of taking it to the San Diego Padres, which is a good sign. Let's get to the phones here and talk to Brian in Churchville.

What's happening, Brian? Hey, what's happening, Jack? What's going on, man? Not too much. Oh, crap. Sorry. I put my TV off here. That's good.

That's good. What do you got? Yeah, so what a great win tonight. And I'll admit, I've been not as bad as some people about the Schwarber deal. You know, batting leadoff, obviously. But, yeah. Well, the shock to the system. I mean, I understand for people that have watched it for a while, it's probably like, what are we doing here?

But, I mean, like, listen, they just win a lot with him there. And you can't deny what he does with the home run and the presence he has at the top of the lineup and the protection he gives at the bottom of the lineup. Like, there's a lot of positives. And, no, you're 100% right. You know, it's a very unique situation, and it goes against kind of history. But, yeah, it's clear that, like, that's how they need to keep it,

without a doubt, without a doubt. And then the other thing I wanted to mention, too, was, look, he struggled early in the season. But Zach Wheeler has been a flat-out stud since he's come here. Totally. I mean, he's just awesome. I mean, he seems like he's, you know, rounded in the form, you know, just at the right time. Like you said, his fastball is just awesome. I mean, he seems like he's rounded in the form just at the right time. Like you said, his fastball is just popping.

I mean, that's 16 whiffs on the fastball. That's unbelievable. Well, yeah, and it's so – because when he was throwing like 94, 95 at the beginning of the season, I was like, is he just going to be stuck at that spot? But recently, I mean, he is getting it back up nice. I don't think the 99 to 100 Zach Wheeler is coming back, but the fact that he's able to still live 96, 97

and get that many swing and miss and be that devastating of a pitch, I mean, it just shows you how ridiculous that pitch is. No, and I totally agree. It shows you what a great pitcher he really is. And it's funny, I thought about it. You know, when I go back, you know, I've watched Steve Carlton, and he's the best pitcher, you know, Phillies pitcher I've seen. But Wheeler's top five for me, without a doubt.

I mean, he's been awesome since he's been here. Yeah, I mean, what? It's Carlton, Schilling, Halliday, Lee, and then it's like Hamels slash Wheeler? Hamels. See, I go Zach slightly over Cliff Lee, and then it's like Hamels slash Wheeler? Hamels. See, I go Zach slightly over Cliff Lee, and it's close. It's close. I go Lee number six. But, yeah, I do Carlton, Schilling, Hamels, Halliday, and then Zach.

I mean, you can argue it, but I think he's been that good. Totally. And I appreciate the call, Brian. He is my 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 Brian brings up obviously a really good point there, and it's been something I've been thinking about for a little bit here. Exact Wheeler is definitely underrated, I think, by a lot of people because he just kind of shows up and is good. He's always just shown up and good as a filly.

But it's interesting. He doesn't feel like he's on the holiday level. That's not there. But his numbers are close. And his numbers are close only because of the last two years of holiday. The first two years of Halliday are insane. But he is in that class with Halliday and Cliff Lee, where it's like, we have another ace, and we have one of these guys.

I feel like if Zach Wheeler was on the 10-11 team, you'd be like, wow, this is pretty ridiculous how good Zach Wheeler is. It does feel like he has been a bit under the radar here. And he is just, again, Matt Klintock gets a lot of crap here. But the fact that he felt comfortable enough to give the guy $115 million, I mean, it is a – it's one of the all-time heists of a contract in this city's history. I mean, that's how good Zach Wheeler has been.

I mean, there was some concern at the beginning of this year. He had pitched the most innings he's ever done last year. He pitched deep into the World Series. He got dead arm in that playoff run, which doesn't ever get brought up. And then, obviously, we know what happened in Game 6, where he was just ridiculous and robbed Tom's and pulled him. He got off to a slow start at the beginning of this year. The way he's pitching right now as they barrel towards the playoffs,

they have their ace back. It's as simple as that. And he's been an underrated fillier for how dominant he has really been. 2-1-5-5-9-2, 94-94 is how you get in. So there's a good sign out of the bullpen. And while I admit, eye test doesn't totally back it up. Eye test does not, you know, say this guy's been, I think, as dominant as this, but numbers are numbers and, you know, they don't lie. Sir Anthony Dominguez only allowed one run in his last 14 appearances. So even though it hasn't been dominant and it hasn't been like coming in and

striking the other side and looking as dominant as Sir Anthony can look, the fact of the matter is only one earned his last 14 appearances. And when you get him going, hopefully, and Alvarado, I think is more back than not. You look at last year's bullpen that was able to go as far as they did. It was just riding those two. I mean, David Robertson existed, but it wasn't, like, easy. And then it was just there really wasn't much. Like, Brogdon pitched, and Belotti was in games, and they had to bring Ranger out of the bullpen. So it wasn't like last year was some kind of cakewalk with the bullpen.

This year, heading into the postseason, if they get Sir Anthony and Alvarado back and firing on all cylinders, then you can bring in Hoffman. Hoffman's pitching his way into more high leverage spots. Wasn't great tonight, but got out of it. Strom continues to look pretty good. Soto is just a high wire act. You have no idea what you're going to get.

And then obviously Craig Kimbrell, who if they can just get him some rest, it would just – they don't need to phantom IL him, but if they can just ride a Sir Anthony Alvarado thing here who have more fresh arms and give some of the guys who helped to carry this bullpen while they were down a bit of a breather here, it would just go a really, really long way. And one thing that Rob Thompson did last night that I thought was smart and ultimately, yeah, costing the game,

but just letting Lorenzen kind of get through six, whatever, who cares, and then just letting Covey pitch out the last two innings and not use anyone else. Sure, you're waving the white flag, and I know people can get offended by that. But it's sound managing. And set up for today, would you have those guys ready to go with a full off day, with a day off tomorrow, and stuff like that. So good to see Sir Anthony, 11 pitches out of the eighth.

And, again, one earned run in his last 14 appearances. So hopefully trending in the right direction with Sir Anthony and Alvarado. I think the arrow is pointing up on those two. 215-592-9494. It's Jack Fritz hanging out with you here on the Final Out. On the other side, we will look ahead to Friday night against the Marlins coming into town before handing things off to Rob Ellis, who will take you through the rest of the night.

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track is grisham he's out of room it And J.T. Romuto has homered again. It's his 18th home run of the season, his third in his last four games started. And the Phillies now lead it 4-0. Road J.T., what a player. Again, average over 300 on the road, OPS approaching 1,000 on the road, and at home it's in the low 600s. Average over 300 on the road. OPS approaching 1,000 on the road.

And at home, it's in the low 600s. I mean, again, this team is full of insane bits. Outside of Zach Wheeler, their starters do the same thing, where they allow three runs in the first three innings, and then they're in the sixth or seventh inning, and it's mostly fine. Everyone freaks out, whatever. They also have a good bit going where they hit a huge home run late, a game-shifting kind of home run, and then they blow it, which is a crushing bit they have going on.

And then the JT home road splits is an unbelievable bit. He is by far the best catcher in baseball on the road and then at home, he's below replacement level. Hopefully, during this little bit of a home stretch, he can cook back up. But man, him on the

road is certainly a different player. Maybe Stubbsy at home and JT on the road? 2-1-5-5-9-2-9-4-9-4. Final Out is sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable. Never looked so good. Let's get in Joey in Pennsville. What's happening, Joey?

Jack, finally nice to talk to you, brother. I'm a big fan of Top 5-5, by the way. Aw, thanks, man. I appreciate you. Welcome to the show. Well, thank you. And Fritz at 6 as well. What about when Howard's there? Do you still like it? Oh, I love when you're riding with the king, man. I love when you two go back and forth. That's good.

I appreciate it. I'm just busting stones. What do you got? I know. I know. Hey, Jack, I still think they leave too many men on base. I'm old school in two reasons. One, first of all, I know what a Schwarber guy you are, and I wasn't as a leadoff.

Because I was old school. I figured the guy's got to walk, the guy's got to have speed. But you know what? You convinced me, and Schwarber Kyle has convinced me to go otherwise. Yeah, and listen, in a perfect world, would I like a guy to hit home runs from the leadoff spot, get on base, and steal bases? Sure, I understand that. But for this team, for what he does,

I think people get too caught up in the batting average, get a little too caught up with, like, does he move runners over? Does he go first and third? Yeah, like, sure. But when they're as good as they are with him there, I just don't know why it's still such a point of contention for people. You changed my mind. And like I said, sure, we're changing.

My other thing is, again, my father, my father, who got me into baseball big time, and I grew up in the 70s, Jack. I'm a little older than you. But a man on third with less than two outs and you don't score him, that would send my father into what you would call a conniption. Me too. Me too. I don't think there's a worse feeling in sports than leaving runners on base with less

than, or leaving runners in scoring position with less than two outs. Absolutely, sir, and that was my point tonight, and I appreciate you taking my call, Jack, and I hope to get to talk to you on your other show. For sure. Thanks for the call, Joey. I appreciate it. And yeah, it's been the thing that's kind of hurt them all years, this runners in scoring position thing, but

I will say, I mean, since August, August 1st, so a little over a month, I mean, what they've done offensively has been impressive. I mean, last night was more of a blip in the radar than a massive cost for concern. So, you know, no runs last night, but they get right back on the horse and score five today. So I thought that was good to see.

And this offense has just been on a roll here for a little bit. And this offense has just been on a roll here for a little bit. And again, I believe yesterday they snapped their seven-game multi-home run streak, which was impressive. Got right back on the horse today, and hopefully they ride it out this weekend against the Marlins, who are coming to town. They were winners of six straight heading into today. But at this point, they are going to end up being winners of seven straight because they're up 9-1 against the Dodgers in the fifth inning.

So Marlins coming in playing good baseball. But news broke before the game today. Jorge Soler on the I.L. with an oblique. And obviously, he can make Cisterns Bank Park feel even smaller. And Sandy Alcantara, who, again, the Phillies own. So, I mean, this isn't that big of a loss, but he goes to the IL as well. They have not announced any starters this weekend. Skip Schumacher said before the game today that they're going to kind of

piecemeal this thing together and might be some openers. So look out for possibly some openers this weekend against the Phillies. But just frankly, I'm glad they're returning home. I'm very, very glad they're returning home. Get back in front of that crowd and continue the really positive momentum that they've been building down at Citizens Bank Park. Chris Sanchez gets the ball on the mound on Friday night. So, you know, hopefully gets back on the right side of things

and continues to pitch his way into a possible playoff rotation, which is, I'm still in, I would start Chris Sanchez in the, in the NLDS wouldn't start him in the wildcard round. Um, but he's, he's been impressive and hopefully during down or down the stretch run here,

he continues to do that. But either way, Phil's coming back home on Friday. I will have you for leading off and final out, um, on Friday night, reacting to it all, uh,

here on WIP. Robbie, Rob Ellis, taking you through the rest of the night here on WIP. Francisco Rojas produced the program tonight, did a great job, as always. I'll talk to you Friday evening and Friday postgame on WIP. Enjoy the rest of your night.