High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Phils Win, Casty Returns

Episode Date: June 19, 2025

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies' win on Wednesday night over the Marlins in Miami. 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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varies by region. See app for details. One ball, two strikes, the pitch swung on, hit in the air, right field, backing up Castellanos to the track, near the wall, jumps, makes the catch, bangs into the wall, and he hangs on and Nick Castellanos makes the catch at the fence and the Phillies win the ballgame and you got to be kidding me the way baseball works out sometimes. Nick Castellanos in the game still in the ninth inning and he makes the catch at the wall to end the game. Oh What a sport what a sport doesn't get much more Baseball than that and what a call there by by Scott Fransky and Kevin Stocker down in

Miami welcome on in it is the final out Jack Fritz hanging out with you here on this Wednesday night as The Phil's hang on by a thread and take this one down in Miami For to the game wrap up is sponsored by Roto Router When plumbing problems hit wrap them up quick and call Roto Router their team tackles clogs and leaks so you can stay in the game Roto Router your MVP forles clogs and leaks so you can stay in the game Roto Router your MVP for plumbing solutions two and five five nine two ninety four ninety four to get in as again

We've react to what should have been more of a laffer than it was turned into a a nail biter at the end and and one that there is certainly a a nail biter at the end and one that there is certainly a lot of takeaways from the biggest takeaways of the game brought to you by Morgan and Morgan, America's largest injury law firm. And like we mentioned there, I mean, after everything that has transpired in the last 24 hours with Nick Casiano's getting removed from the game the other night Saying something inappropriate Rob Thompson sleeping on it decided to bench in the next day and his his Cal Ripken like streak of consecutive games started Casiano's according to Fransky on the air Apologized after the game which was which was good to hear and hopefully those two, you know

they mend that fence there. And that, I guess I expect Casillanos in his, he's been in the league 10 plus years. I think he is a pro. Him doing that and accepting the responsibility and not letting this thing linger, that's important for moving on and What that kind of makes me think is I think my biggest fear with the Cassianos

Comment was that it was about another player on the team And I know the first thing was ah did he rip Rojas? They'd rip one of those one of the younger players and then I start worrying about well What if he said something about Trey or said something about like when Bryce doesn't hustle and took it out on another? quote unquote star the team could that create Real friction with that and him going to him and apologizing makes me think it was maybe a comment directed strictly for Thompson What do you think Rob Thompson is able to handle? He's heard a lot throughout the years in baseball. So you go through tonight, Gassiano sees four pitches. Now he does get two hits out of it. I did have him plus 600. Did not

appreciate that ball late in the game, not going out instead of hitting the bottom of the wall. He had a play also in the seventh that we'll get to and and then in the ninth inning they're up 4-1. Seems like the right time to do a defensive replacement but I guess not tonight, not tonight. Given all the drama surrounding it over the last couple of days does not get the the defensive replacement and I guess he makes Thompson look like a genius by by staying in making that catch Going back and banging to the wall immediately ripping his shirt off and It's just it's one of those things where I know that it's a pretty

Overused term maybe in some ways, but it really does keep going back to how can you not be romantic about baseball? The ball always finds you Big game ending on Cassiano's making a catch at the wall About as baseball as it gets best sport in there best sport on earth man best sport on Earth two one five five nine two ninety four ninety four to get in All right some other things here as you move on through Matt Strom, I mean It's time to have a conversation about Matt strong he is at the current time a

Leverage arm strictly out of necessity But I would really appreciate Rob Thompson not manning managing a game where he is taking down the last three outs of a game. He's going to have to just because of where they're currently at with the bullpen. He's going to be in big spots. You can't take them out of it. I still think he gives you a better chance to win than the Tanner banks. But you're also you're also setting the bullpen up to where he is taking down some some You know whether it's the last six outs of a game last three outs of a game That's something that they have to navigate around because he's just not getting the job done Right now and you know, he's down a mile and a half on his fastball. His sinker is getting ripped

It looks flat it like I think what made Strom so good in years past is that he could hide the ball really well. He had really good extension. His 93 looked more like 96. And it's just not get it. Again, it just looks dead. It looks flat. And he took down a lot of innings last year.

Year before, they made him a starter and then moved him back into the bullpen. He's pitched a lot for this team over the last two years. And maybe he's just dealing with a little bit of a dead arm period. Not a great time for it. Not a great time for it. And I understand why Rob Thompson did it. Because you have Kirk Ring on the top of the lineup there. It's a tougher part of the lineup. And he's got a lot of good players.

And he's got a lot of good players. And he's got a lot of good players. Understand why Rob Thompson did it because you know, you have Kirk ring on the on the top of the lineup there It's a it's a it's a tougher part of the lineup I guess and not like any part of the smart ones lineup is that tough but regardless that is probably more important more important now then you got to trust someone else in the night to go to get a a lower pocket of the lineup out. But man, the biggest thing that they can address, I'm not saying they have to go out and get a closer. Obviously, if it doesn't cost a ton, sure.

But getting someone that can be in the middle of, if you want Kirk Green to take that job and run with it, and Strom and Romano. Getting someone better than Strom and Romano is just so imperative and let those guys settle into a little bit lower leverage kind of situations because it feels like every Strom outing right now is a coin flip and tonight, if he's facing a better lineup

who knows how that goes. And that ball almost got out. I mean that was a couple feet from going out against the freaking Marlins. Like the guy's just, he doesn't have it. He doesn't have it this year. He was great last year. Pitchu won something in the ERA. But man, him having to continue to come in these big spots, a 4-1 lead in Miami should not get that tight.

And I know that right now they can't go out and make a trade for a reliever. I totally get it. But when the trade deadline rolls around, getting someone right in between Kirkering and Schramm and Romano that can let Kirk and Kani just cook in the ninth inning if they want to go that way is just imperative because right now Straum's a tightrope. You're walking a tightrope with him out there. Romano, I think I feel pretty good about but still it's like he's been more shaky than not recently.

He's settled down. He's not a disaster out there but it's not the most crisp and his fastball velocity just fluctuates Sometimes he's 93 94 sometimes. He's 96 97 so Just getting someone else is gonna be is gonna be huge and then the base running in the seventh was just Infuriating like I don't know what Cassianos is doing Bone doesn't have to break there. He's as slow as molasses. Know your teammate.

He paused, he looked at him, and then he just kept going. What are we doing? What are we doing? We're not talking about something that's bench-worthy. It wouldn't have been bench-worthy there, but that didn't happen. And thankfully so, because guess what what he's a defensive stalwart in In right field what drama what drama Bills in East Hampton was happening bill Hey, how you doing my friend good, how are you man?

Good, I enjoyed the game tonight I'm and I completely understand what you're talking about with the whole strong enclosure situation. I think Dombrovsky has to make a move before the deadline. I think we do have to... There's a couple of good young guys out there. The name's escaping. The kid for the Oakland A's, the kid for the Baltimore Orioles, and they're not going to be contenders. They're going to be sellers at the deadline, not buyers.

Well, yeah. So the A's aren't trading Mason Miller. He has like four years of control left, and they're going to do a new ballpark. So they need his main star so they can get. Felix Bautista, I agree with you. Felix Bautista is someone who I think is awesome. He has two years of control left after this year.

But at the same time, that's costing you some of your high level prospects, I believe. So yeah, I think the Rurals are probably going to fall out of this thing and end up selling. Bautista is certainly a name to look for, Bill. Absolutely. And I love the Iron Pigs. I think their starting rotation is wonderful,

but they don't need to. They brought up Abel that's that's good That was a good move. I'm glad they cycled him into the rotation But they think they have a shot at the championship That's why we may not get Justin Crawford and we may not get another starter But we may not need another starter. Yeah, I think they're pretty good from the starting staff Tonight, I don't know if we need a starter Yeah, who think they're pretty good from the starting staff perspective. I don't know if we needed another starter. Yeah, and...

Who runs a bunch of... Yeah, no, I appreciate the phone call, Bill. I don't know what happened there, but... Listen, if they are worried about the Iron Pigs going for an international league championship over Crawford being up at the big league level and helping them out, I would say that their priorities are probably not Well aligned I don't think that's the case I think they'll call Crawford up if necessary and if they believe he's ready I don't know if the old International League Championship is is priority number one on the other side

We will get to the pitch count and talk about On the other side, we will get to the pitch count and talk about one of the stars of tonight's game, of course, and some other positives and negatives from the night. All that's coming up next on the Final Out on Sports Radio 94 WIBA. Discover the magic of BetMGM Casino, where the excitement is always on deck. Pull up a seat and check out a wide variety of table games with a live dealer. From roulette to blackjack, watch as a dealer hosts your table game and live chat with them throughout your experience to feel like you are actually at the casino. The excitement doesn't stop there, with over 3,000 games to choose from, including fan favorites like

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Rob Bradford from the Baseballs and Boring Podcast here, and we'll have you covered every day with podcasts that bring you closer to the action. From the bleachers to the clubhouse Whether you're a die-hard fan or just a casual observer These conversations are aimed to educate entertain and most importantly inform you follow the baseballs and boring Podcast in the free odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast Here's a swing and a miss on a high fastball and there's strikeout number eight for Rangers Juarez

That'll end things here in the seventh We sure we sure we don't want to just pay rangers Juarez, I mean Man, he is on that run again. He's on the run like he was at the beginning of last year since Since May 10th, he's pitching to a 1.18 ERA. Rangers Suarez, brilliant again tonight. The pitch count is brought to you by the Plumbers Union Local 690, protecting the health of the nation. Visit plumbers690.org.

95 pitches for Rangers Suarez, pretty, I mean mean pretty stress-free Per usual he's dominant down that ballpark Fransky laid out some of the stats Earlier of what he's done down there and the question is always Is Rangers Suarez gonna be able to hold up and for his sake? I really hope he does because I want Ranger's been a phenomenal filly. I've loved him as a filly. I want him to get paid. I also don't really want to see him leave. I know they have a lot of pitching coming,

you know, through the pipeline. I wonder if the Wheeler Ultimatum or whatever after 2020, or whatever after two years left on his deal. And he's done as he says. I wonder if that could change anything. I mean, I know that the Phillies knew that more better than we did, but still, I'm just not sure I'm ready to let a guy who can pitch like one of the 10 best pitchers in the National League

Just walk out the door, you know That hasn't really been the the Phillies mo and I know that they have a lot of starting pitching and they paid Sanchez last year. I mean at this point Lazardo has shown flashes of being dominant. We all know what he looked like has shown flashes of being dominant we all know what he looked like. He has only a year left after this year. You sure you want to pay Lizardo over Suarez? I wouldn't make that bet right now. If he can get the back right it seems like he has back issues. I know it's a big ask but like his arm should be able to stay

around for a while. It's pretty loose. It's not like he's put a lot of stress on that arm. It's a really tough decision. And it's almost like there's three outcomes here. One that I don't think they would do. Again, I don't think they would do this. But let's say all these guys are pitching well.

And I think the NOLA thing totally throws a wrench in it. The idea of trading them at the trade deadline, at least getting something for him, maybe he could be in a package for some kind of impact bad. Again, highly unlikely, but given the starting pitching depth they have, maybe it's something they consider. If they don't wanna move some of their younger prospects,

but at the same time, Rainer Suarez could be starting game two of a playoff series. So that's probably out the window. Two is obviously they could extend him. Or three, you just let it play out and let him hit free agency and maybe just let him walk. But I tell you what, when he pitches the way he has, again, since May 10th at 1.180 RA,

it does make it that much harder to be like, all right, see ya, see ya, Ranger. Because again, he's shown he's been great in big games. He's shown stretches of dominance. You know, I've said it before, I wax poetically about the way he pitches and just like he is out there pitching and he's not throwing he is he is pitching he is like Picasso out there and it's so fascinating watching hitters try to hit him when he's on. I think the key to success for Ranger is,

hides the ball really well. All of his pitches look like they're coming out of the same arm slot. He has really good extension so that the ball stays on plane later and then dives off or moves at the end. So, you know, these hitters that have milliseconds later and then dives off or moves at the end. So these hitters that have milliseconds to make a decision on are they gonna swing the bat or not, the longer the ball can stay on plane,

the harder it is for them to make a swing decision. And I think that's what makes him so tough is that even like a curve ball, it's not like it starts loopy. You know, it starts pretty like it starts loopy. It starts pretty straight and then dives. He has world class command, pitches to both sides, keeps both sides of the plate really off balance. He's a pitcher's pitcher, man. When he gets in And I just when he gets in those rhythms when Sanchez can get it kind of get in that rhythm

they are a treat to watch and Obviously a big key here is whether or not he can stay healthy and again for his case For himself. I hope he does stay healthy. I would just have a really tough time Saying all right Ranger. thanks for the last couple years, but let's see when he can pitch again, like one of the best pitchers in the National League. He has it in him. And again, tonight, just brilliant. Now, some other positives and then a negative.

Bowmas is hitting the baseball hard right now. He is, it's meaningful hits. It's not a bunch of singles Well, Bowmas is hitting the baseball hard right now. It's meaningful hits. It's not a bunch of singles that have helped raise his average. It's nice. Getting some gappers in there, some line drives. This is big stuff. And I think the one thing that has been good is he's finally, to me, looking like he's

making a concerted effort to lift the baseball. It's about time. He's six foot five. Use some of that leverage and drive the freaking ball. I thought he was doing a good job of this. Right around the time they went out to Sacramento, and then he kind of got away from it, and now it looks like it's coming back a little bit. But he's doing real damage, which is good. He should be an impact bat. I don't need my 6'5", third baseman being a slapheader. So he is currently not doing that. He is currently doing a much better job of lifting the baseball. And I really hope he can stick with it.

We've seen Alec Baum get getting these modes where he looks like one of the like a top a top 15 hitter in the National League, top 20 hitter in the National League. We've seen him getting these rhythms where he's driving in runs and and it's like oh there's the moment there's the light bulb going off for Alec Baum and then he goes back into the into the tank I mean he was on pace for 150 RBI's the first two months last year and then was benched in game two of the of The NLDS so we know these kind of streaks have happened much like Ranger I hope that it's a light bulb moment for for Alec boom

But at least for the time being he is doing a really good job Picking up the slack with Bryce being on a one guy who's struggling right now is Schwaber Who is like five for his last 44? So is his batting average is down to 240. I don't think you ever get too worried about Schwaber it's not like it's when he it's not like in the past it feels like when you could just You could just feel how how how much he's struggling at the plate I don't think he's gonna totally crater here But you know short for five for his last 44 all right on the other side We'll get to the player of the game and a look ahead to tomorrow before we hand things off to Sean Bell

This is the final out on sports radio 94 WI pay Start with a chance to add on for w i think start with a chance to add on here gets major and the pitch starts wings and hits one deep up the alley right center long run hernandez and it is gone here's

and it's a three-run home run for bryson stout the families with a four nothing lead on on Stott's fifth home run of the season. And that is our Player of the Game brought to you by South Jersey Gas Conserve helping customers and the community save energy and money. Visit South Jersey Gas.com slash Conserve. Welcome back. It is the final out. Sports Radio 94 WIP. Jack Fritz hanging out with you. Yes, Stod needed that one. Now he's, it hasn't, not every game down there

has been perfect for Stod. He still had some, some weak contact, but in at least one at bat in each of the three games, he has smoked the ball, which is good to see it. Cause it felt like we went through a month stretch there where everything was just a weak pop up to the left side or a rolled over ground ball and Yeah, and stockers talked a lot about you know, they're trying to get start more upright and

not I guess his head is moving a lot when he's more crouched and leaning towards the baseball and At least I think there's some some baby steps here and that ball was smoked. And it's interesting because there's a couple balls in this game that at least early on probably would have been out in other ballparks. And we're not excused guys in the final out, but the seams are higher on the baseball so they're not traveling as far.

You gotta really smoke a baseball to get it out of Marlins Park and with these current baseballs Who are which are not exactly flying? So yeah, it was good to see that that from Bryson's thought again. I don't want to get too ahead of myself with him but Maybe some signs of breaking out. Let's let's sneak in Steve from Cape Coral. What's happening, Steve? Hey, hey, hey, don't.

What do you got? Thompson's gotta go. I mean, I drove two and a half hours ago to watch the game last night and he's gotta go. Yeah, why? Nick should have been playing last night. You know, that messed the whole deal up. Yeah, it's brilliant.

Noah, he can stay on the disabled list the rest of the season, because you know what, they're doing way more better than if he was in the lineup. Yeah, yeah, that's great stuff Steve, as always. As always, the dynamite content. So, important thing here, Matt's lose again. Chris Sale pitches into the ninth, has a shutout going into the ninth. They eventually do Pullam and the Mets get

shut out down in Atlanta. Last night they blew a three run lead in the eighth, so not exactly going well for them. Phil's officially a game out of first place, which is obviously awesome but like it's crazy because They went through that stretch of losing 910 I think they lost like seven and a half games in the in the in the division race Now during that time a lot of Rockies games that the Mets were beating up on so not exactly the the toughest of opponents Remember remember we don't point out when the other teams play bad teams and beat up on them.

We only point out when the Phillies play bad teams and beat up on them. That's how this whole thing works. But, that's Lewis and Knight. Phillies are only a game out. We'll see what happens tomorrow. Both teams have Knight games, which like, I mean, I know Atlanta always does that

because they're HARDOs down there. Marlins, no reason for that. We could easily have had a 135 start and Phil's get back here, but both teams have night games tomorrow and will be making the way back up here for a huge set this weekend. They could be tied.

I mean, they could be tied heading into this weekend, which would be awesome, but Phil's only a game out of first place tomorrow. Chris Sanchez on the mound versus Eddie Cabrera. They've done a pretty good job of thinking the past against Edward Cabrera. His stuff is, is been nasty for a couple of years, but hasn't totally been able to put it together. Looks like recently he slowly, but surely maybe putting it together looks like recently he's slowly but surely

Maybe putting it together a 2.3 ADRA his last seven starts now He won't go deep in the ballgame and he will walk you it's more four or five inning outings recently for him But you're gonna see some like 95 mile-hour change-ups tomorrow. He's got some he's got some pretty nasty stuff Sanchez I think ever that Toronto star has looked much more like the Chris Sanchez that we have seen most of last year and the year before. Early in the year, I thought that his command was just off and that's why he was more a five inning pitcher. Now he's back in the strike zone, getting more aggressive and you're seeing, at least the last couple couple times out more more six or seven in outings by him So I think he's rounding into a nice rhythm was good to see him his last star like middle of the game You know fastball change of combo working and working really well

So Chris Sanchez on the mound tomorrow That is a fun part about this rotation is that every night out there you feel like he got a chance to Just see something special from them and it's, it kind of feels like 2011 all over again. But that is going to do it for me. I will not be with you tomorrow night because I'm going to be at the ladder 15 in Philadelphia watching the game with my good pal James Seltzer, a little high hopes night. So if you're in the city, come and hang out for Phil's Marlins. So I won't be with you tomorrow, but I will have you for leaving off alongside Spike Eskin. So looking

forward to all that. Mike Angelina produced tonight. Sean Bell, he's next. He'll take you through the rest of the night here on Sports Radio 94 WIP.