High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Sanchez Wins 16th, Phils Win 4th In A Row

Episode Date: August 18, 2026

Jack Fritz reacts to Cristopher Sanchez winning his league-leading 16th game of the year on Monday night against the Marlins. Presented by Miller Lite.To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com

Miller Light, the official beer partner of your Philadelphia Phillies, is proud to serve as presenting sponsor of WIP's High Hopes Pod. So whether you're listening to the game, catching off on the latest High Hopes Pod or at the ballpark. Remember, it tastes like Miller time. Phillies fans. Celebrate responsibly. And the pitch. Swinging to ground ball up the middle. Right there, a rise has it.

Runs to the bag, dives at second, tags the bag, and that's the final out of the ball game. Philly somehow survive and outlast the Miami Marlins to win their fourth straight ball game six to five the final it wasn't easy but they got it done yeah Fransky summed it up well there that Marlins team just wouldn't go away tonight and it was kind of like are they really going to lose another one of these nonsense games of the Marlins

where they've where they had pretty decent size leads and they kind of coughed it up but nevertheless nevertheless after 33 pitches yesterday joander around available tonight and thankfully so because i don't know who else would have closed out the game maybe you you stretch sanchise one extra inning who knows doesn't matter fills win welcome on in it is the final out sponsored by the philadelphia parking authority offering valet park at the philadelphia airport jack fritz hanging out with you on this monday night reacting to a a Phil's win over the Marlins tonight, 6-5, in a game in which they did get some luck.

They did get some luck, but certainly they made their own luck with some of the things that are going on on the offensive side of the plate. The game wrap-up is sponsored by Roto Router when plumbing problems hit. Wrap them up quick and call Router. Their team tackles clogs and leaks so you can stay in the game. Roto Router, your MVP for plumbing solutions. 5992-94-94 if you're on your way back from the game, we'd love to hear from you. Or if you watch this one on your couch, like I did, get in now at 215-5-592-94-94

and give your takeaways from tonight. My takeaways, though, are brought to you by Morgan and Morgan, America's largest injury law firm. And yes, since they've gone to Iowa and they got around the magic that is field of dreams, some things are starting to go this team's way. And I, like you, like a lot of people, kind of felt like they were running out of gas there before that field of dreams game.

And they needed a spark, they needed something to get them going, and maybe just being in that atmosphere and that ball bouncing over or bouncing off the right fielder's glove over the wall for Swarver's second home run. maybe that is a balance that they needed the fight to come back and win that game yesterday out in Minneapolis. And then tonight, just for the most part, playing good baseball. Bullpen didn't show up tonight.

We'll get to Sanchey. But the thing that is really the catalyst of this turnaround and something that we really have to start monitoring is, is the have a plan of the plate fills because apparently there is no discussion as to whether or not you should have a plan when he go up there to hit until recently and after alec bohm revealed that he has also been on quite a tear good insurance run a one that they needed late in this one tonight but since they've had the meeting about hey maybe you should go up there the plan you have seen this team take their walks they have gotten more base hits I mean they

they didn't hit a home run tonight and they scored six runs they had 11 hits seven walks they got some insurance runs they were five for 12 with runners in scoring position it's good stuff

that is good stuff to have a plan of the plate fills it may have taken four years too long but and I don't even really believe that because I just in my heart of hearts cannot fathom the idea of these guys not thinking before going up there of what their plan of attack is,

but at the same time, we've watched them offensively for the last couple of years, go into the toilet for stretches at a time. So maybe there is some truth to it. Maybe Boom. Maybe Boom is just the one that was like, hey, you know, that's probably my play. And then now, Alec Baum all of a sudden is one of the hottest hitters in baseball, and we'll probably be playing his way into contract extension discussions here. Still in the hopefully not category,

but regardless, it's good for the fills that Alec Baum is heating up. But yes, tonight's at the dish. 11 hits, seven walks, they got some insurance runs, and they're 5 for 12 with runners in scoring position. That is solid stuff. I love seeing that. score when it's not just living and dying by the long ball. I love home runs. Make no mistake about it. Absolutely love home runs. But what we've been begging and just begging for this offense to do is find

other ways to beat you. I mean, they even laid down two bunts tonight. Marsh laid down a bun, Crawford laid down a bun to get guys into scoring position. So we've just been begging for it. And there's been times throughout the last couple of years where you think that they found it, they figured it out. They now know to have an approach, don't chase, blah, blah, blah, blah, so I don't want to get too ahead of myself. But this is the kind of stuff that can maybe change their October fortunes. And a lot of it has coincided with the arrival of Louis Irise. someone who is a bat to ball artist, someone who will grind down a pitcher. I thought they did a great job of grinding down Jans and Junk tonight.

Now, it's not like he is someone who traditionally pitches late in the games anyway, but, I mean, they're at 80-some pitches, I think, in the fifth thing against him. I mean, yeah, so after five innings, he threw 88 pitches. That's grinding a guy out. I think 60 pitches through four. They did a very, very solid job of working him and getting him out of there. And the more they can do that, the more buy-in they can have on offense to this kind of mentality, I think it's only going to bode well for this team.

So that have a plan of the plate fills, once again, continuing to just be a modern marvel. And then there's Chris Sanchez, who on the surface, you look at it, six innings, one run, six Ks, three walks, a little high on the walk total. But again, he had a lot of eight base hits. He still doesn't look the part. He's had good overall numbers. You know, he's had the one blow-up start out in Kansas City. But I thought last week, the Cardinal start was the start of the Chris Sanchez

getting back on track. And he was still good tonight. But man, after the first inning, it was traffic in every inning and some bailouts. They almost had an old-fashioned triple play, third to second to first in one of the innings. It was a lot of traffic against Chris Sanchez. And he battled and he got his way through it.

But you just keep worrying about the damn breaking. And all of a sudden, one of those hits that goes right at a guy finds a hole. So he's just not leaving himself much margin for error. And at some points tonight, he was down to 92, 93 on his sinker, which was traditionally a pitch that we see in the 96-95 range. So I kind of think that him and Wheeler are just going through a fatigue spot, maybe a dead arm spot. I don't think this is going to be the rest of the year,

but we talk about this starting staff heading into October and what they can do. The top two right now are currently a little shaky, which I don't love. Now, thankfully, there's enough season left for them to figure it out. I just hope this isn't like a fatigue thing and there should be more of this. I hope it's a dead arm thing because I think dead arm you can get yourself out of. But either way, overall, you know, Sanchez numbers, We're good tonight, but eye test-wise, still not there. 215-5-592-94 to get in on the other side.

We'll get to the wow moment of the game and some other things that suck out tonight. All that's coming up next to here on the final out on Sports Radio 94 WIPA. He kicks the 0-2, swinging a shot down the line. It's just foul. Oh, man, that was going to be big time trouble. Sanoa can't even believe it. He thought it was fair, but the first base umpire, Shane Leibonsparger, called it foul. Now, that ball landed past Leibonsparger, so this is reviewable.

Miami's challenging the foul ball call. Here's the call. The call on the field is overturned. Fair ball. Two runs will score, one run placed at third and second base. Miami will get their challenge back. Yes, that certainly was our wow moment of the game, which is brought to you by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism from Water

falls to fairways mountain resorts the lighthouse doors find your wow at visit nj dot com welcome on back it is the final out jack fritz hanging out with you on this monday night the final out is always brought to you by the philadelphia parking authority offering valet park at the philadelphia airport yes a a interesting call there pretty surprising that he just completely blew it on the field you know that is one that was right in front of them and he and he missed it. And then luckily, for the Phillies, they ruled that as two-runs score, runner-on-first, base goes the third. And I, obviously, as a Phillies fan, glad they did. But I also agree with Don Mattingly that I do think that is a hard play. He probably would have scored.

But to assume the score there, I think is also a tough one. So, you know, know, to assume that three runs are going to score on a first, on a, on a, on a, on a, on a, on a, on a, on a, on a, on a, on a, on a, uh, uh, a base line, he probably would have scored, but I understand the umpire's discretion there. And as a Phillies fan, I thought it was a phenomenal call. But yes, it was a, uh, a hit that would have tied the game up. Who knows how the rest of the game goes from there. Thankfully, it didn't matter. And, or, you know, you know, thankfully the Phillies got that call. because that could have been a totally different game, and it would have been another annoying loss or tight game against the Marlins.

It was tight regardless, but didn't need it to be any tighter. So some other things that kind of stuck out tonight is, you know, Harper had a big night. He didn't hit a home run. He didn't drive in one, but had three hits and had another walk and smoked a ball late off the lefty, which is a very good sign. He has not had a great year against left-handed pitch. but him him kind of smoking that baseball was it was a good sign and really i thought that a good job of of staying up the middle all night uh bowlin did not have a great inning at the same time i thought

that it was a little slick out there he clearly had no feel for his breaking ball i am definitely still in on jonathan bolin was not his best inning but i think he's going to be okay and and same thing same thing with brooks raily i think he's i think he's going to be a really solid pitcher down the strathes around for this team. I want him getting high leverage spots over Jose Alvarado. He's probably going to have some issues against right-handed hitters just because he does not have overwhelming stuff. And he's a lot like Nola, if he misses his spot up a little bit, it's going to get deposited into the seats. But he's here to get tough lefties out. And he's done that since he's gotten here. One of the biggest moments of the game was that JT challenge in the six. And there's

two outs. Runners on second and third. and JT challenges there. And instead of it being strike three inning over, they're able to get him down there, extend the lead, and add on just a little bit more. So one of the more underrated moments of the game tonight. And then, you know, once again,

one of those moments we were asking yourself, you know, where would this team be without Derek Hill? And he was, he had a big hit in the game tonight, had a walk late. He just continues to make winning plays. He reminds me a lot of Edmundo, but in the outfield. You know, Edmundo as the utility infielder, beyond solid. Seventh inning on, I trust him to get a big hit.

Same thing at Derrick Hill. Every big spot that seems like has found him this year, he has come through. And it was an aggressive move by Don Maddenly pulling Justin Crawford from the game in the sixth inning, but one that paid off. and him and Derek Hill are a good little platoon out there. Crawford has certainly started heating up. He is looking apart at the plate in the field, not totally just yet, but, I mean, Hill's playing so well that you got to give him some time.

And he certainly held the team tonight. So good stuff all around, especially from the offense. On the other side, we will get to the player of the game, but look ahead to tomorrow. and also a good night so far for the Phillies around Major League Baseball. It's time to scoreboard watch. It's that time of the year. I'll tell you what happened.

Coming up next here on the final out on Sports Radio 94WI Bay. Drink up, baby. Fantasy Football Happy Hour is here to get you wins and have some laughs. Matthew Berry here and my podcast, Fantasy Football Happy Hour, has the sleepers bust and starts in advice you need to win your league. We're diving into the tape. We're crunching the numbers to bring you. you sleepers bus weekly starts in advice whether you're defending a title or desperately avoiding last place i've got you covered every single weekday the bar is open it's fantasy football happy hour with matthew berry wherever you get your podcast welcome back it is the final out check for it's hanging out

with you on this monday night reacting to a phil's win yeah four and no since i uh declared them cooked so as always you gotta have a feel you gotta have a feel you gotta have a feel you gotta have have a feel, finishing things up here, and then handing things off to Broads, who will take you through the rest of the night as, you know, Phil's win, so it's going to be a tough open for Broads. He's going to have to adjust. Another shaky practice for his quarterback, so I don't know. We'll see what Broads has cooked up for us coming up in a little bit. But as always, the final out is sponsored by the Philadelphia Parking Authority,

offering valet bark at the Philadelphia airport my player the game is brought to you by south jersey gas make the smart play save energy and money with south jersey gas at SJG save energy dot com and because there wasn't like a player that really stood out on offense like if I could give the player the game to the entire offense I would but I mean sanchi was good tonight it's still a little shaky a lot of people base hits, a lot of traffic, good amount of walks, has to get right. They're not going anywhere if Wheeler and Sanchez are not Wheeler and Sanchez. I'm very happy the Lizarto is turning to an ace level pitcher. I'm very happy that Aaron Nola has turned into a solid five-in-ing pitcher.

I still believe in Andrew Painter. There's a lot of good stuff under the hood for him after his start yesterday. I won't break down stuff plus models and RPMs on fastballs and then changing his fastball from a more rising fastball to a cut fastball. But regardless, you know, for this team to really go in a run, it's going to need Zach Wheeler and Chris Sanchez to be Zach Wheeler and Chris Sanchez. And tomorrow is a big start for Wheels as it seems like it's going to be an opener situation, a bullpen game for the Marlins. So, you know, but Wheeler is the one that has to get right here.

I mean, both him and Sanchez are dealing with some velocity decline. and, you know, it's been a, he had it start in Miami. It was horrible. Wheeler was, velocity was down. He bounced back against the Orioles for like two innings before the rain. And then his last start, just kind of meh. So it's not the end of the world because August 17th. It's just something to monitor as we were heading down the stretch run here and evaluating what we're going to get out of our two horses at the top of the road.

rotation. And I said it earlier. I hope it is a dead-arm period. I don't, if it's fatigue, a little bit concerning, I don't think it's injury. You know, maybe Zach Wheeler's just wearing down a little bit from not really having a full off season and jumping right back in and putting up a good amount of innings and a lot of solid stuff. But certainly want to see them get back on track. Now, good night for the fills as the Padres lose and dimebacks lose. And And currently, the Braves are losing. It's 4-2 in the bottom of the 8th. It's about to go to the top of the night.

So a chance for the Phillies to get a game. I don't really care for the division. I think the division is over. But, you know, they stand alone now in the second wild guard. They are a game up on the Padres and now two games up on the dimebacks who are now dealing with the Catel Marte's situation. If he missed it, he didn't show up for the game tonight. So they don't, I guess, does.

they'll try to figure out where he is, but he did not show up for the game tonight. So obviously hope everything is okay with Catele-Marty, but that is definitely one to keep an eye on as they're dealing with that on top of, you know, trying to stay in a playoff run. But the Phillies improved to 11 and 5 in August, and they are winners of four straight as they need to write the ship here, make sure that they can lock down a playoff spot. That is going to do it for me. Buzz and Alex Call produced the final out tonight.

Like I mentioned, Brods is coming up next, and I'll be back with you for leading off tomorrow at the afternoon show, and we'll have you after the game as well for the final out. So talk to you then, and enjoy the rest of your night here on Sports Radio 94, WIP.