High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Phils Earn Windy Win Over Giants

Episode Date: April 16, 2025

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies' 6-4 win over the Giants on Tuesday night. Bryce Harper's late-inning home run turned oiut to be the difference as the Phils bullpen turned in another solid outing. 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

Moms, dads, are you the parent of a student athlete? Do you want to know how to get the most out of youth sports? If so, listen to the Next Pitch podcast to give you the tools to raise an aspiring athlete. It's not simple, but we talk straight and give you the best insight there is when it comes to youth sports. We'll cover everything from nutrition and training to mental toughness and teamwork. It's a podcast you can listen to together with your kids so everyone can benefit. Follow Next Pitch on the Odyssey app or wherever you listen to podcasts. And that sound you heard all around the Delaware Valley. I'm sure in the Phillies dugouts and

definitely in the ballpark was one big sigh of relief. Welcome on in. It is the final out Jack Fritz hanging out with you Here on this Tuesday night as we react to a Phil's win in what was classic early baseball Weather where wind was howling some some maybe windblown home runs some wind aided doubles when dated singles Whatever who cares they got a win and for one night we don't have to Freak out about the baseball team the game wrap-up is sponsored by Roto-Rooter When plumbing problems hit wrap them up quick and call Roto-Rooter their team tackles clogs and leaks So you can stay in the game Roto-Root router your MVP for plumbing solutions to a five five nine two

9494 is how you get in if you're on your way home probably trying to defrost a little bit Because it was I was cold and windy and shout out to the people that stayed for the for the entire game It's good to see it's still pretty full Laid into this one as I know is definitely nasty So if you're sucking traffic would obviously love to hear from you or if you're like me and watch this one at home Although I started to do some veteran dad moves around here been streaming on the phone while while I'm walking My one son around around town town trying to get him to sleep So I watch about yeah about 40 minutes worth on my phone and you know, it's it's it's not working out too bad You know, it's we're all we're all trying to develop here as we're getting a little bit older to in five five nine two

94 94 is how you get in the biggest takeaways the game brought to you by Morgan and Morgan America's largest injury law firm Tonight was not perfect. There was certainly some tense moments. There was some frustrating moments. There was some lack of execution But overall, they grinded out a win tonight. And it wasn't make or break. It wasn't a must win. It was one that was nice to have But overall, they grinded tonight. There's been times where they've rolled over. There's been times where they let one slip away. I thought tonight was actually trending towards one of those ones that they just let slip away and we're gonna be annoyed again.

And to their credit, they were able to come back and fight right back in two instances, or one instance, and even didn't even add onto that. So, Lazardo I didn't think was great. I thought he grinded. He, I thought it was actually a good, I was, I think Tom, I think Rob Thompson's been better about getting guys out of games at the right time this year

rather than trusting them to get through it. And I thought that was a good spot for Lazardo to get lifted there. I'm sure to a lot of people that was obvious But I don't know if that's as obvious as it has been in Years past so I thought he grinded. I think his stuff is You know, I think that at least he's I think I think last year He's probably that's a prior for any outing for hazel's Lzardo. I think he's developing as a pitcher.

I would say his last two outings, the command hasn't totally been there. And then, you know, the last outing against the Braves, Velocity kind of dipped as the start went on. This outing, I felt like it was more, it was more command and guys just hitting a lot of fouls balls off of him. But still, at the same time, you know,

he gave them five and a third. He could have worked his way through that ending maybe and his, his ERA is 2.3 on the year. It's not always going to be perfect. Sometimes you got to grind when you don't have your best stuff. And I thought that Lizardo did that. So it wasn't perfect, but he was, he was mostly for the most part good enough, but that's kind of in the story of, of this, this starting staff so far.

They overall have been pretty good. Wheeler has not his last two two appearances Nola has had to meh and then his last one kind of mad but you know I guess better than obviously the ones before that but it's been a lot more grinding rather than dominating for the starting staff and and At this point the season when it's still cold still finding a feel for things I don't think it's the worst thing in the world and You know the three for ten with runners a scoring position An improvement there still really frustrating one with Alec Boehm who grounded into a double play

But it wasn't all negative for Boehm I thought he had some some good at bats hit some balls hard Obviously had the big hit late to put them over the top and give them the lead. I felt Really happy for bone in that moment. I think the best version this team is still Alec bone being the third baseman You know, I think in Mundo Sosa is still a a superstar level utility player But for this team to reach its ultimate goal It has to be Alec bone. ultimate goal it has to be Alec Baum I mean it has to be Alec Baum so you hope that this is something that kind of jump starts him I thought he gave a really refreshing

interview on TV and I thought the interview that JT gave on the radio was really fascinating as well and I thought I appreciated Rob Thompson after the game saying how much these guys love each other and that's obviously important to see. You hope it's not lip service. You hope that that's really what's going on behind the scenes and I'm sure that they were happy for Bomer too. I mean again, this is a unit that's been through a lot these last couple years. They've been through a ton and they've been through heartbreak.

They've been through jubilation. They know each other and I'm sure as they see their their guy going through it You know at some point you get tired of it I've put your arm around him and saying it's gonna be okay you want him to just go out there and do it and I think the The last couple games and even in st Louis I thought bomb is has put the bat on the baseball much in a much more meaningful sense And it was good to see him get that hit tonight

Good to see him get that hit last night and hopefully he's just crawling his way out of this thing I thought Brandon Marsh had good at bats. It was good to see him back in there before the game It was definitely like, you know Yesterday they're saying he gets three days off to mentally reset and then they watched Johan Rojas for a night and they said, okay We're gonna pull the plug on that one which begs the question Why is Johan Rojas here? But that's a conversation for another day not a night when the Phil's win, but regardless, you know that Marsh he had the the good sack Flyer and then the early in the game

He roped a ball in the middle portion of the game off of our land or that just happened to be right at a guy He roped a ball in the middle portion of the game off of our lander that just happened to be right at a guy And I think overall it was a good step forward for Brandon Marsh works in deep Deep counts and and again, maybe he's pulling his way out of this thing And then the final guy that I thought had really good at bats was Max Kepler, you know, he had the two big hits Roped down the right field line, but smoked a couple balls after that as well One just happened. It both just happened to be right at a second baseman and right at a short stop. So I think the last couple of games,

Max Kepler has looked closer to the player that we had seen in spring training, which is, which is good because the guy in spring training was definitely someone that could help out this team in, uh, in the long run. So a positive win for the boys tonight wasn't perfect. Obviously, if you watch it it wasn't it wasn't perfect they rarely are and and they're able to grind one out tonight and they needed it can can put the pitchforks away for a one night and put them away before her before tomorrow night with Noles on the mound but what a a just just nice to get the win calm I don't think it's a refreshing win. I think it's a exhale and and thank God they got one

Tonight two and five five nine two ninety four ninety four Dave's in Maryland. What's happening brother? Hey, what's up Jack? It's Refreshing April baseball is very weird in my opinion Oh, yeah It's just like you just can't get any like flow going. And I feel like this team and a lot of other teams are going through it too. It feels like we're five and 12. But really, we're 10 and seven. And, uh, you know, it was great to see them bounce back. Uh, you know, when they, when they, when the giants hided it to tonight, I was like, this is a rollover moment for us. If we, you know,

it felt like, you know, the, just how we've been playing, it was not going to and That guy like when are these like the umpires are bad Like he struck out. I think it was uh, lee on the hot. He struck out totally. Yep Yeah, I mean how to start it struck out and that just totally changed the inning You know make some throw 15 more pitches makes them not available tomorrow that kind of stuff but like they've just been bad and then I don't know if you noticed bohm's troll job in the uh, In the top of the or bottom of the eighth where he tapped His helmet on the one call Gotta gotta look from the umpire When he went about the zone, I didn't I didn't notice that that's funny though. Yeah, he did and it's just like you guys have been I mean

In key moments to like you know, it's like that's a big moment there And yeah, you can't like you get. And you can't, like you get on bone, you get on marsh and you get on, these guys can't miss in key moments either. And they're missing a lot. Well, and especially, I mean, especially last night in the JT at bat, they lost their frustrating last night,

but who knows how that goes if that's called correctly. Yeah, well, just a good win. Hopefully, Knowles can get going, get himself going tomorrow against, hopefully, Giants have a lot of right-handed hitters. Maybe that gets them going, get some good matchups for them, and we'll go from there.

But overall, good win tonight. Yeah, appreciate the phone call, Dave, as always. Alvarado made it interesting. I agree, obviously, the umpire completely missed a call on Lee But still he's getting squared up in that inning. It wasn't it wasn't crisp and you know I saw some people and they even like tweeting me about why was Alvarado in that situation? Listen, he's he's your best guy in the bullpen That's the top of the Giants lineup.

And I know that we have this idea of, well, we set closer, set closer, set closer. Do we think that Alvarado's developed the closers mindset in two weeks? I don't think that's the case. These guys have been in this bullpen for a couple years. And you want your best guys up for the most important outs of the game and

In tonight's case it happened to be in the eighth inning some nights is gonna be in the ninth inning some nights It might be the seventh inning who knows but you know, it's it's one of those things where Sure, if they have a set closer and you can make Alvarado row beado be the rover guy. You know, one night it'll be Strom, one night it'll be Kirkering, totally agree. But they don't have that right now. And in a perfect world, yeah, that'd be great.

But they're making do with what they have. And I think Alvarado in that situation was nice. And then you give the lower portion of the lineup for Strom in the ninth, and he works a seven pitch outing two and five five night soup 94 94 to get in on the other side your reaction to the game of course But we will also get to the player the game Is it even a player the pitch count and some more? Positive developments from the bullpen all that's coming up next on the final out on sports radio 94 WI pick

I'm Jordan Robinson host of the new podcast the women's hoop show. Each episode I'll be joined by a rotating group of women's basketball experts to talk WNBA, college hoops, the new unrivaled league, and the shifting landscape of the sport. The game is growing and so are we. Listen to and follow the women's Hoop Show and Odyssey podcast available now for free on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast. We sure did. Welcome on back. It is the final out. Jack Fritz hanging out with you here on this Tuesday night. Alec Baum, big hit there, a nice hit last night, maybe just maybe crawling his way

out of this thing. I do not believe he is a 150 hitter. I think he is better than that. And I think you're starting to see some signs of life from Boamer and I thought he looked like he was in a pretty good place post game, just talking to DMACC and Rube on the call. And again, I thought JT on with with Fransky in LA

was really refreshing as well. And it shows some of the leadership that I think this team has. And I think it gives you a reason to feel confident that they're not gonna let this thing just completely crater. I don't think they're gonna let this thing completely crater. I think the pitching staff's too good.

I think the bullpen is starting to show signs of life. I do think they need another arm out there. I'm definitely still more in, you know, I'll believe it when I see it with the lineup. I think they kind of just are what they are and you have to hope that they can get hot in October. But you know, it certainly would be nice having Alec Bohm be a useful part of that. And I thought tonight was a, and really the last of games have been a positive step in In that direction my player the game is brought to you by South Jersey gas conserve Helping customers and the community save energy and money visit South Jersey gas comm slash conserve And I'm actually going with Bob Melvin who?

Famously left Josh hater in the bullpen in the famous bedlam at the bank game for Robert Suarez to remain in there versus a lefty and Bryce Harper And then tonight you have Justin Verlander Justin Verlander is a no doubt about it Hall of Famer I can't believe he's almost like 3500 strikeouts, which is crazy You feel you never see these guys put up these kind of numbers anymore But you know Verlander is a first ballot Hall of Famer And I know they wants to help him get to the win, but at the same time You got it. You can't just let him Cook a game out there, you know Schwab were singled to to write

Castellanos singled and then real Muto had the excuse me single that was wind-aided Just let him stay out there Kepler squared up a ball right the shortstop and then boom steps up and and singles him home I mean to let him face Real Muto Kepler and boom even like facing Kepler was insane So I'll give the I'll give the player the game to Bob Melvin for for once again Just I guess he just freezes when he gets the CBP because holy cow. I was sitting there was actually walking again I was I was out of the streets of Westchester you know stream the game on my phone and

I Might as well been talking to strangers saying what's he doing? Why is verlander still out there? So shout out to Bob Melvin Needed you tonight, buddy. Let's go to Tyler and Fox Chase on his way home from the game What's happening Tyler? Tyler not ready to go Joe and Bethlehem what's happening Joe? Yeah, Jackie baseball. What's up my man. What's up, brother? How you doing? I'm good Um, I just got to say something and I know a lot of other people are probably thinking this when it happened, uh, multiple times tonight.

Oh yeah. From yours truly, Mr. Turner and Bryce Harper. What on God's green earth was Trey Turner stealing with Harper on at bat getting thrown out by a couple feet and then Turner or Harper that's tagging up on a ball hit to send her field. How do you explain that Jackie? I think he's trying to... Please! Well, the Turner one seems like he got a bad jump and probably should have stopped.

And I don't love running with Harper up anyway so I'm with you on that one. Exactly! And the Harper thing, I have no idea. I mean, it seems like he just has a brain freeze and just goes for no reason. I mean, I think he's trying to trick Jung Ho Lee and catch him off guard. But yeah, it's ridiculous. He had no chance of getting there. You can see the play in front of you. I know. Right? So I could understand if he was trying to go from second to third. The play is right in front of him and the poor

announcers did not even reflect on it because you know, with Bergy Jenkins was in the booth and they couldn't really harp on these kind of things. I said to myself when I seen that I am calling after this. This is ridiculous. Yeah well. And the fact that they won this game in spite of those things, that's that's that was heinous, Jackie. Sure, I agree. But at least Harper did hit the home run to extend the lead. Of course and his second home run of the year. Third. Okay, so yeah, well, but I mean how many of this trade Turner have? One. One. No, he could have had one earlier than this one that got made when blown down

These are the things that you cannot a base a good baseball team Ricky does not do these kind of things man. I know I know I know I got you take a deep breath I mean, it's annoying It's annoying Totally agree totally agree Teams make mistakes every night 25592 94 94 is how you get any pitch count tonight is brought to you by the plumbers Union local 690 protecting the health of the nation visit plumber 690 orgs 90 pitches for Jesus Lazardo tonight and again

Grinded didn't has best stuff second straight outing where it felt like he didn't have great stuff. But still I give him credit for you know Holding them to two runs pitching into the sixth would have obviously like to see him get through that. I anticipate that as the weather gets warmer and He continues to settle into being a Philly, he's just going to keep getting better and better. I've been really impressed with Jesus Lazardo. I think he's going to get better command the more and more he works with Caleb Gotham.

I just think that there's really, really super high upside for Jesus Lazardo and the early returns and the early dividends have been been really really good now other thing that I want to point out is Now obviously the bullpen I think we it's been maligned at the beginning of the season I do still think they're an arm short. I think there's some guys may be developing the one Intriguing development out of the bullpen is Jordan Romano. I think they made a mechanical tweak I think they shortened his leg kick. And he is back up to 96-97, where if you miss your spots at 96-97, much better than missing your spots at 93. So he's starting to get more swing and miss, starting to look closer

to the Jordan Romano that we'd seen with the Blue Jays the last couple years. Maybe if he continues to pitch well in these these higher leveraged spots Maybe that's the closer at the end of the game and you can you can use avarado kind of roving around I'm not sure Thompson will ever do it You know the only time he really did it was with Kimbrough in the first half of 23, but you know that was kind of also Situation presenting itself and Kimbrough obviously being one of the active all-time leaders and saves But still the Jordan Romano Slider was looking better now. You're stramski did smoke a ball that maybe

In July is a home run a bit of a hanging slider, but I thought that was really the only super bad pitch he made so Again, you know, it's three straight scoreless appearances for Jordan Romano. He's not walking the ballpark. He's up to 96, 97. That's closer to the Jordan Romano that we saw in spring training and Jordan Romano that we'd seen from 21 to 23. So good stuff there on the other side, we'll get to a, a look ahead to tomorrow and a

Guy who's getting closer and closer to looking like himself all that's going on next before We hand things off to Jody Mack here on the final album sports radio 94 wip and maybe that one makes up for the one on Sunday out in Busch Stadium that if that wasn't a huge ballpark and wind not blowing in from left probably goes out. That may have been wind aided, but I don't care. Some of us had him plus 480 for a home run tonight. I'm not saying myself, but maybe someone on these airwaves. But still, and the base right mistake obviously you know ridiculous but every does it now it's just

well areas but over i think he's getting closer to the local myself you know if you want to gain these you're hitting a homeowner almost sitting on run and he said after sunday's that he told, you know, Kevin Long 10 like I need 10 days or whatever and I'll feel like myself again.

Well, I believe we're on day eight or game eight. So, you know, it seems like Bryce is certainly certainly getting closer from that standpoint. And, you know, I think once he really starts getting comfortable and getting into the season, I think his offense will be obviously better because I think obviously as he goes, they go. But regardless, Bryce goes deep and that is a welcome sight as this team really needs some pop.

It can't just be Schwabber. Good to see JT at the home run tonight. Second hit probably doesn't happen with, with, without the wind. But either way, a good overall hard fought, grainy win by the Phils tonight. Tyler is in Fox Chase. Man, you were at the game, how crazy was the win? The win was insane for it, I mean, flag poles, swinging back and forth. I messed up and wore shorts So that wasn't really a good idea felt good coming out of the house

But when it was game time too cold Yeah, it seems like a mistake seems like a total mistake But did you stay did you did you wait out to the end or did you leave early? I stayed I stayed till the six and work a night So I had it I stayed for a little bit But of course I left before the Harper homerun, but I got to see the J.T. home run which was a nice little hit and boom got to break a streak but I did see on that double play ball he was ready to slam his helmet but he stopped himself so I guess that's good stuff. That's a positive development. We take that Tyler we take it.

Yeah. What else is that. Anything else that got tonight? uh Hello rain five ten minute rain little spotter got out of sheets for a couple minutes But I mean it was nice getting out to the ballpark and it's crazy Like I was saying to a couple friends of mine is crazy. How many people go to the games on the Tuesday night? Yeah, no, it's awesome. Yeah, yeah, and it's awesome. I appreciate the phone call I think people are really invested in this team, man I think people are frustrated But I think they're tuning in every team. And I think people are frustrated. But I think they're tuning in every single night.

And I think that the ballpark obviously had a good feel to it. There were some times tonight where it just seemed super, super loud. So that's good. And you can just feel it on WIP. Even when people are mad and they're frustrated, they care. And it certainly beats where the Sixers are at, where no one cares. Flyers, same kind of thing.

But Alec Bohm, you know, he brought that up and I think it's important. It was a double play, it was another, you know, another big moment that Bohm didn't come through in his what kind of been a season so far where he has not come through. And maybe a couple days ago, he's flinging the bad the bat or fleeing the helmet

into the stands. I don't know but I thought that was a much more controlled and calmer response from Alec Bowman and maybe he's getting the hints there. So tomorrow Robbie Ray vs Aaron Nola the Fills will have to have their work cut out for them with Robbie Ray, now at the same time, they're gonna have to be patient. I mean, it's not exactly this team's MO, they're not the most patient unit in the sport. Nine walks in his last two outings for Robbie Ray,

five and four in each of those. So if they can wait him out, get him into the strike zone, don't chase They should have a pretty pretty good chance tomorrow. No last outing went five had a grind his way through it Velocities is one to look at with him again. He's been more 89 to 91 more than 91 to 93 I Assume as the weather gets warm warmer We'll get Aaron all the back up into the 93-94 range, but that is definitely one to keep in your back pocket. Maybe Fransky was lying, he definitely could have been lying when talking to JT, but it

seems like it might be a windy day tomorrow at CBP again. It's April baseball, it's a little fluky, and hopefully they come out tomorrow and at least at least get a split in the series against the Giants who are a good ball club. That's a, that's a good ball club. The Phillies are playing against. And again, the national league is just in a really, really good spot with a lot of good baseball teams. Robbie Ray versus Aaron Nola. We will have you leading off on a Ike's bike and Fred's leading you into the game. And then I will be back after the game Reacting to it all of course here on the final out, but that's gonna do it for me. Thanks for hanging out

And Jody Mack he is coming up next. He'll take you through the rest of the night here on sports radio 94 WIPE