High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Playoff Nola Isn't Enough To Beat Brewers

Episode Date: September 19, 2024

Jack Fritz reacts to Aaron Nola's dominant performance over the Brewers in a 2-1 loss. 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

What's 2FA security on Kraken? Let's say I'm captaining my soccer team, and we're up by a goal against, I don't know, the Burlington Bulldogs. Do we relax? No way. Time to create an extra line of defense and protect that lead. That's like 2FA on Kraken. A surefire way to keep what you already have safe and sound.

Go to kraken.com and see what crypto can be. Not investment advice. Crypto trading involves risk of loss. See kraken.com slash legal slash ca dash pru dash disclaimer for info on Kraken's undertaking to register in Canada. I'm going back to university for $0 delivery fee, up to 5% off orders and 5% Uber cash back on rides. Not whatever you think university is for. Get Uber one for students. With deals this good, everyone wants to be a student. Join for just $4.99 a month. Savings may vary. Eligibility and member

terms apply. Bumble knows $4.99 a month. Savings may vary. Eligibility and member terms apply. Bumble knows it's hard to start conversations. Hey. No, too basic. Hi there. Still no. What about, hello handsome? Who knew you could give yourself the ick? That's why Bumble is changing how you start conversations.

You can now make the first move or not. With opening moves, you simply choose a question to be automatically sent to your matches. Then sit back and let your matches start the chat. Download Bumble and try it for yourself. Ooh, 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 Wednesday night Wednesday night reacting to a Phil's loss 16 strikeouts some good pitching and ultimately, you know, I know the Phil is gonna make the playoffs but We were robbed of a double clinch tonight, you know, we get to see the Brewers They start celebrating braiding and you see the Brewers, they start celebrating, and you see the videos of them on Twitter. You know, they celebrate in the Division Crown. The Phillies will be there soon enough, but still, you know, getting to see them celebrate

was quite annoying. Good amount of stuff to get into with this one, as always. The game wrap-up, sponsored by Crevitz, providing CNC machine cleaning services waste coolant removal and scrap metal systems designed for efficiency and lights out manufacturing crevice dot online or crevice dot com two one five five nine two 9494 if you would like to react to this one as the fills go down to one if you would like to react to this one as

The Phil's go down to one was was not the prettiest of showing's offensively and Erin Ola was was was really good. Let's get to it all with the biggest takeaway of the game brought to you by Morgan and Morgan America's largest injury law firm and simply put like This offense the last two nights is, I mean, last night was fine. They got good insurance runs, they hit some home runs, it was OK.

16 strikeouts is just too much. Now, they get to their sweet spot. So heading into the night, they were 4-0 in games where they struck out 16 times. They got to 16 strikeouts tonight again. Unfortunately, they were not able to do it in back to back nights.

And what's so, I guess, interesting, I think funny about watching this offense is that it feels like when they struggle the most, it's two things. Like either this super elite, like starting pitchers and bullpen arms, coupled with like smart organizations, or a pitcher you've never heard of slash a rookie pitcher. If you can find someone in between, like not super elite and also not a part of a super smart organization like the Brewers are from a pitching standpoint, or a pitcher

that you've never heard of slash a rookie, if you can get right in that sweet spot, the fills will be OK. But if those two scenarios happen, they're doomed. I mean, they're just doomed. And what stinks about this kind of offensive performance tonight is that it's exactly what you worry about in October.

I mean, it's as simple as that. This is exactly what you worry about when they get in there, where it's a lot of strikeouts, not moving runners, not hitting home runs, and a lot of just feeble at bats. It's disappointing, but ultimately it's who they are. It's who they've been. It's who they were in the World Series in 22. They were great up until game four offensively, but we know how it ended.

Last year they were fine, they were fine, up until six and seven, but they went cold, and it seems like they all go cold at the same time. Now, the strikeouts, definitely annoying, definitely there. I will say that a lot of the lineup for the last week and a half have been doing their jobs. Schwabber's been fine, Turner's been fine, Harper's been fine, Casiano's has been mostly fine,

Bum is just coming back. There's been a lot of pretty good, they ran into a Brewers pitching staff that is really good. I mean, there's a reason why they're the highest run differential in baseball, and it's not because they're an unbelievable offense, it's because they limit you pitching and defense-wise. They are a really good pitching organization.

But if you get into a playoff series, you're going to have to put up a better performance than that. Now ultimately, they were able to go out there, take one, so they have the tiebreaker, which is massive as we head down the stretch run, and hopefully they don't catch you, but you do have the extra game if they happen to but I mean the the Brewers are a really really good pitching organization and the Phils if they happen to play in the postseason are gonna have to do a better job. I mean a a a Phillies Brewers playoff series it would be excursionating, just as simple as that. It would be excursionating. The Phillies own them pretty much pitching wise for a majority of the series and the

Brewers did a really good job striking out the Phillies a lot this series. Last night was good. But it would be about as pitcher's dually, it seems like every start it could possibly be. So, Phillies Brewers Playoffs Series, I'm not sure it's going to set television records, It seems like every start it could possibly be so Phil's Phil's burst playoff series I'm not sure it's gonna set television records, but it would certainly lead to some tight playoff games But the biggest positive tonight No doubt about it is Aaron Ola Aaron Ola needed a performance like that

Probably has two more starts after this one. He needed to round into form a little bit. He needed to have one of those kind of performances that I think calmed people down because his first three starts in September were a lot like his first three starts of last September where he just kinda started getting shelled. But being able to balance back, have that kind of start, dominate, work in and out of jams.

I thought he pitched backwards really well. Whenever I don't think the hitters were sitting curveball or sitting cutter, he went to it and he was able to get it over for a strike. So it was just good to see him. Last time against the Mets, he was dominant for five innings and then it blew up in his face He got over that today Rob Thompson with him with 86 pitches Let him get the seventh which I thought was good. He had a really easy sixth Let him go out there, you know, save your bullpen a little bit. I was fine with it

Brilliant by Aaron old tonight The pitch count is sponsored by the plumbers union local 690 protecting the health of the nation visit plumbers 690 org 97 pitches for Erinola tonight and Just think that was the guy that we'd seen before this last little three start stretch like that was pitching close to 2018 Erinola but getting that kind of performance we're heading into the stretch run we're heading into the postseason they need that they need

Noles I mean a majority of the team right now is in a pretty good spot yes I understand they struck out a lot the last few nights but like I just outlined a lot of the guys are doing their jobs rotation wise Wheeler and Chris Sanchez have been phenomenal Ranger a little bit to be desired, you could say. But Nola's a key, key cog in all of this. And the way he pitched him out on the road, I'm just saying, I'm just saying, Chris Sanchez came through.

And the bullpen being the bullpen, like they're in a lot of the teams in a pretty good spot, Nola feels like almost the linchpin to this thing where it's It's a lot of good a lot of good a lot of good, but if he's not Nola It's it's a it's a pretty big swing two one five five nine two Ninety four ninety four John and Ben Salem leads off tonight. What's happening John? I Have watched many games over my 69 years. I have watched people play great. I have watched great players. I am trying to find a great player on the

Phillies right now. The amount of strikeouts that this team is acquiring is Beyond belief You don't think they have a great player on offense I I I said I had problems finding it. Oh, what's your definition of a great player though? My definition of a great player is someone who does what is necessary when they are called on to do it. Okay, so who did not do that tonight? Who did not do that?

I got 16 answers for that. Because they struck out. How many strikeouts we get today? Right. Yeah, they got 16 strikeouts. i got sixteen answers for that because it doesn't mean that we get married yet again that sixteen strikeouts uh... make so because so because the truck out tonight there's no great players in the line

you know i i am overstating my position here i hope you realize that but i can't strike out like this. It's impossible to do anything in the postseason doing this. Okay I agree but I don't think they're going to do this. I think they had a bad night. Why? You think they had a bad night yeah how many times during the year have they done that

this is what i if you want to if you want the numbers of the one period you there for now and they've struck out sixteen times i mean the fed had a good night at the real sad as i went that would probably be when who pitched one of the aces. Well, there you go. I know.

You know what my point is. My point is these guys are getting paid to hit the ball. Hit the ball. I know. I got you. I'm sure they're trying to hit the baseball. 2-1-5. 592-9494 is how you get in.

On the other side, we'll get to more of your phone calls. Plus thoughts on an interesting decision late and the player of the game. We'll get to all that. Coming up next on the final out on sports radio 94WYB. It's a new day. How can you make the most of it with your membership rewards points?

Earn points on everyday purchases. Use them for that long-awaited vacation. You can earn points almost anywhere, and they never expire. Treat your friends or spoil your family. Earn them on your adventure and use them how you want, when you want. That's the powerful backing of American Express. Learn more at mx.ca slash ymx. Terms apply.

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 Co. 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 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. This is an ad from BetterHelp.

As kids, we were always learning and growing, but at some point as adults, we tend to lose that sense of curiosity and excitement. Therapy can help you continue that journey because your back to school era can come at any age. And BetterHelp makes it easy to get started with affordable online therapy you can do from anywhere. Rediscover possibility with BetterHelp.

Visit betterhelp.com to learn more. That's betterhHelp.com to learn more. That's BetterHELP.com. Here he swings and drives one left center field, long run Cheerio up the alley. That ball is gone! It clears and Alec Boehm with a home run against Freddie Peralta. And he puts the Phillies on the board.

It's one to nothing. Welcome back, it is the final out. Sponsored by Regency Furniture, affordable never looked so good. Jack Fritz hanging out with you here on this Wednesday night. Reacted to a Phil's loss where they shrugged out 16 times. But, Aaron Nola was brilliant. And Alec Bohm hit the home run tonight, that was good. I thought the swings actually looked healthy and confident. I think his timing was just a little bit off throughout the night. I would hope a week from now that he's in a good spot.

With that, but what I can't figure out is who's gonna be the four hole hitter heading into October. They put Cassianos there, and when Boam was out, that's fine if you wanna put Cassianos out there. But Boam's back. I mean, Boam was having a really good season out of the four spot. He was towards the top of the league in RBIs,

towards the top of the league in doubles. No, he does not hit home runs. But he's also better at not striking out than Cassianos. And I guess if Cassiananos was lighting the world on fire in the four spot I would understand but he's not I mean in the time that Alec Baum was out and Nick Castellanos was in the in the four hole this is before the game tonight and tonight he struck out three times. I mean, he's hitting 186 with a 609 OPS.

If you look at the entire season, he's hitting 289 with an 854 OPS batting fifth, and batting fourth, he's batting 186, again this is before the game, so it'll go down, but he's hitting 186 with a 574 OPS. Let's get Bohm back in the four hole. Like unless they just want Kass to be the four hole because he's showing signs of life and and they signed him to be a four hole hitter. Do they want more pop in that spot? Maybe I just... Alec Bohm when they got out to the big lead when they did struggle but he's been the four-hole hitter he's done a really good job in that spot and I just don't think

Cassianos has hit his way into earning that spot I think Cassianos has been really consistent for a long long stretch of time here but also some of that was with him batting further down the lineup like it was situation tonight where it was first and second no outs in the middle of the game and You know, that's a strikeout spot for Castellanos Where if Bohm is up at least I trust them To put the ball on the ground to the right side to move a runner along now that could couple with a double play for sure He's he's grounded into a lot of double plays this year.

But I just find this interesting heading down the stretch run here of who's this team's four-hole hitter? Are they working bone? But working bone back doesn't make much sense to me either. So again, Alec Bowman's been really good there this season. Nick Kassianos has been better in other spots. It's not like since Bohm went down Kassianos again has been lighting the world on fire in the four spot. He's hitting 180 probably 180 since since Alec Bohm got hurt hitting fourth, so I

Would like to know what what Rob Thompson is thinking with that one. Now another decision tonight that I found interesting and again I'm not, like I think the Phillies are very well prepared and very well informed. I don't think they make decisions willy-nilly. I think there's usually a purpose behind it. But what happened tonight in the ninth better not happen in a postseason series. Better not happen. Jeff Hoffman's your best pitcher. He's not overworked right now. He's bitched two times in the last, I think since last Friday. Not overworked. Now, my theory is, is that they're managing his innings, heading down the stretch run,

they don't want to overwork them in games that don't really matter. Like tonight doesn't really matter. They lost, Brewers, you know, they're behind them. Obviously picking up a win would have been great, but like sort of in get me to the postseason mode at this point. So don't run Jeff Hoffman into the ground

because there's bigger fish to fry. And maybe they wanted to get Esteve some work. He hasn't pitched much, I think two times in the last seven days. So maybe that was it. I'm just saying that that can't happen in a postseason series. Can't happen. It is too big of spots. Jeff Hoffman's too good. You want

to have Estevez face the bottom of the lineup in the ninth with Hoffman getting the top of the lineup in the eighth? Fine with it. But in a tie game like that, that's a Jeff Hoffman spot. You used him in a 5-1 game last night. And I know why, because he was hot, because it was a safe situation. And then they added on and figured, okay, let's just end it. Okay, you know, fine. I hope it was just managing innings.

And I hope it was not, Estavus gives us a chance there. Maybe, again, just working our way through it, maybe they wanted Hoffman in extras because that's a strikeout spot and Estevez is not really a strikeout guy. Maybe that was it. But I found that interesting tonight, all the, using Estevez in that spot,

not using Hoffman, and I just hope that in the postseason, like, Estevez is the one that has the most Kimbril feel to him, I think, at this point, of guys that you're gonna use in big spots. Kimbril, by the way, designated for assignment. Bring him home, just kidding. Kirkering, unbelievable. I mean, just an unbelievable inning from Kirkering.

Again, it's been a while since I've seen a Phillies reliever just have as quick of innings as he has. It's pretty crazy. So you feel good about him, feel good about Strahm, feel good about Hoffman. Alvarado, a little bit of a step back in game one of the series. Mistheva is the one that has the most camberl potential

because he does allow a good amount of contact. But that was an interesting one. Again, don't need it in a postseason series. The Player of the Game, sponsored by South Jersey Gas Conserve, helping customers and the community save energy and money. Visit southjerseygas.com slash conserve. And also go to the Brewers pitching.

They didn't allow a run after the first inning. And they strike out 16 Phillies tonight. Too many strikeouts. Can't happen. but it seems like against elite pitching and good bullpens that's when they struggle or again against pitchers you've never heard of. Jim is in Haddon Heights. What's happening Jim? Hey, tough one tonight but uh, I think uh, what do you think this season just globally? What do you think the Phillies are globally, what do you think the Phil's are going to do? I mean, I hope they win the World Series.

To make a declarative statement, I have no idea. They're in a good spot, there's a lot of good teams in the NL, they're going to need to piece together better at bats, and it's going to come down to whether or not the offense is going to be able to do their jobs. I think that's the only thing it's gonna come down to. Pitching staffs in a really good spot, bullpen's in a really good spot, it's it's the offense. It's as simple as that. If they hit, if they get big hits, if they hit some home runs, they're gonna be fine. If they don't, it's it's it's probably gonna be an early exit. Yeah I think that's why I was going with it. I think the

pitching is pretty solid going in and the beating the bullpen came around so I the the and just gave it up at the end defense well that's the ball again or jam they don't believe you know people drop a ball here i think they should win for a poor family i was a poor downplay yeah a screen it maybe don't get off with that uh... and and uh... only though

don't get that that would be my opinion on that on that Well, I got you Jim. I got you Phil's postgame who's coming up next? We got Jody Mack on Jody Jody will Jody actually he's actually near lear is funny. He's like hey I I have all the analytics charts So he's gonna go through all the fourth down decision-making and I mean, you know Jody he's captain analytics

He's no one's a bigger analytics guy than Jody Mack so he has the he has the charts right in front of him Nick Sirianni said he could plug it into 20 websites and you could get the answer so why ask him so Jody Mack has you covered on all all the analytics decision but speaking of Bryce Arbor but as notice I mean he had the the pitch at bat, didn't wince once. The only thing I'm watching for a couple things with the Phillies right now, I'm watching for no other bounce back, I'm watching for some bullpump pieces to trust, trying to figure out the Weston Wilson, Austin Hayes situation, does Cal Stephenson make the roster, rounding

out the edges of the roster. But every, like, the Bryce Harper wince on swings and misses for the last, about two weeks, was excruciating. And he's not winced, I'm on Wince Watch, he's not winced since Friday. So, that's a win. I thought he winced in the one at bat tonight. I did, I think you're looking at a faulty wince. I didn't see a wince. I thought he made, I think, no, now Stoddy, he winced in the one at bat tonight. I think you're looking at a faulty win. I didn't see a win.

I thought he... no, not Stoddy. He winced. He definitely winced. It wasn't a noticeable win from Bryce Harper. But, you know, again, we're on wins watch. 215592, 94.94 is how you get in. On the other side, we will have a look at the tomorrow, plus the play of the game. It's the final out on sports radio 94 WIP.

After decades of shaky hands caused by debilitating tremors, Sunnybrook was the only hospital in Canada who could provide Andy with something special. Three neurosurgeons, two scientists, one movement disorders coordinator, 58 answered questions, two focused ultrasound procedures, one speciallyed Questions, 2 Focused Ultrasound Procedures, 1 Specially Developed Helmet, Thousands of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Waves, 0 Incisions, and that very same day,

2 Steady Hands. From innovation to action, Sunnybrook is special. Learn more at sunnybrook.ca slash special. Prime Big Deal Days is coming October 8th and 9th with exclusive savings just for Prime members, involuntary deal squeals can happen. Like the Deal on New Running Shoes squeal,

the Deal on a New Blender squeal, or the infamous Deal on a New Massager squeal. Save big on electronics, fashion and more this Prime Big Deal Days, October 8th and 9th. And the first pitch to Bowers, swung on, pulled, fair, down the line, game over. Brewers win, they celebrate a walk-off, 2-1 victory over the Phils. Welcome back, it is the Final Out out sports radio 94 WIP The final out is always sponsored by regency furniture affordable never looks so good

Justin was there any doubt in your mind that Jake Bowers is gonna walk them off there after what was said pregame About how he's the most classic 20 like 18 player where he stinks he has has a high OVP and that's why a team continues to take a shot on Jake Bowers. Well I thought it was gonna be Adamas for sure after the 0-20 thing got beaten to the ground. No one has bet more money on Willie Adamas home runs in the last two games than I have and this is not a shot at T-Mac but I was yelling at my TV because he kept doing it

He kept being like wow, they've completely shut down. We'll be a dumbest. They've come and it's like I know they have but Can we wait until he's until he's out? I don't need to know one count And I don't need it when we went to tie game. It's like a lot of it, you know, this is a good like no No, no, just just wait. Just wait alsoce getting Nola and Wheeler in one season. Same thing. Same thing. And Reece, I'm happy that he's going back to the postseason, but something about him

looking extra happy with the Brewers, it hurts a little bit, but good for Reece. I mean, the Phillies ultimately chose Price at first base, so he didn't have a choice. And Reece is going back to the postseason, and given what he's done against the Phillies this year don't really need to see him Don't really need to see him in the postseason even though he said a really kind of tough tough season for for the Brewers The oh, yeah, that was obviously our play of the game sponsored by Mike's amazing the official mayo and mustard of the Phillies tomorrow.

The return, the return of Taiwan Walker, get excited for games set up in Queens and the fills have their ace on in game one ready to, to take on the Mets and Barry them for, for, for the division. So Taiwan on the mound tomorrow tomorrow was good You know coming out with bullpen on Saturday gave him three run three innings of scoreless ball So Taiwan Walker, it's a big start for the the Taiwan in this movement The people that still believe in Taiwan who I think might only be the Phillies organization

These faced they're facing Luis Severino tomorrow, who they just faced on Saturday. Bryce Harper took him deep twice, but obviously has really good stuff. So they'll have their work cut out for him. He's stuck in the middle of the threshold where the Phillies struggle. Really good stuff, but not elite.

So they should be okay. Not a pitcher that you've never heard of so it's again When there's a picture in the middle of that sweet spot Fills are in a good spot when they're too elite they got no shot when they're again someone you've never heard of they got no shot and Just keep going back to that little freaking Marlins pitcher that threw 87 miles an hour that shut him down for like seven innings. It was the low point of the season. The Tuesday night loss to the Marlins

before the team beat it again in the Schwab or home run. But we don't need to go back to negative times. Philz are playing pretty good baseball. They cannot strike out 32 times in two games. If they want to win in the postseason, ultimately they've got to hit. That's the big analysis for tonight. They have to hit the baseball. That's gonna do it for me. Justin Morgenstine produced the program. Jody Mack has his analytics charts out. He's ready to break it all down for you. He'll take you through the rest of the night here on sports radio 94WYB. What's better than watching your team win? Winning money while you do it. I'm Jim Costa and I cashed Radio 94WYB. analysis for fighting games that other people aren't talking about. We're turning every Saturday and every Sunday into days when you got a chance to win. Don't just sit on the sidelines, cash the ticket with us. Follow Cash the Ticket in the free Odyssey app or

wherever you get your podcasts.