High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: The Derek Hill Game 2.0

Episode Date: August 4, 2026

Jack Fritz reacts to Derek Hill destroying the Nationals yet again with his go-ahead grand slam on Monday night.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. Never a doubt. Welcome on, and it is the final out. Jack Fritz hanging out with you on this Monday night reacting to a Phil's. just clean, crisp 6-3 win.

The final out is sponsored by the Philadelphia Parking Authority offering valet park at the Philadelphia Airport. What a whirlwind day for Philly's baseball. Starts off with a bang. You get the Luis Arise trade, Caleb Killian trade, a part of that as well. You give a Ramon Marquez. I know that most.

people don't care about remote Marquez, but I do. Yeah, yeah, you get Brooks Raley within five minutes of that. And then it was a whole lot of waiting around. Is Dave going to do something? Is Dave going to do something? Is this really it? Are they actually going to go with this new infield, outfield configuration? And then 6 o'clock passed.

Yes, they did trade Seth Johnson. That's a huge win. It makes the deadline a success. but it was just that. And then into the game, which we'll obviously get into as we move throughout the final. The game wrap up, sponsored by Roto Router.

When plumbing problems hit, wrap them up, quick call Roto Router. Their team tackles clogs and leaks so you can stay in the game. Roto Router, your MVP for plumbing solutions. 215-592-94. If you are on your way home, I would love to hear your takes on the game tonight, and of course the trade deadline, and whether or not you felt like this team did enough. The biggest takeaways of the game are brought to by Morgan and Morgan America's largest injury law firm.

And yes, what a stinker that was. I mean, what a stinker until they finally just scratched and clawed. They're in the seventh. And obviously, Derek Hill is the hero. But finally, making that Alvarez. kid who was, you know, had a, I think he was 4.5 walks per nine, you know, kind of all over the place heading into that game tonight. And, you know, he was cruising. I think he was, what, 70 pitches heading into that inning? He was, he was, for a guy that I thought was more of a

four-inning guy, they certainly made him look like one of the better lefties in the game. I mean, they are, I would say that no team in baseball is better at making average lefties seem like Sandy Kofax quite like this Phillies team. But thankfully so, sometimes you need a spark. And the beauty of baseball is that even when you're down, even when it feels like you got no hope, there's always a chance. You just got to get them to the plate. And Derek Hill, we talk about the Dave Dobrowski track record

and what he's done in trades. And it's been interesting. the last the last like what four trades have been very solid you know Lazardo good trade

Bader good trade don't look up the guy they gave up staff in AAA because he looks pretty good but still he had 850 OPS as a Philly

the Duran trade good Derrick Hill trade good and we'll see how the trades that went down today end up but just kind of stealing Derek Hill off a scratch

Grappy from the White Sox and him hit at having an 837 OPS as a Philly. It is shocking. And obviously what he brings defensively is phenomenal. But at the plate, you just kind of trust them all the time, late in games. It's weird. I mean, it's just baseball. I don't know. Sometimes you got to have a feel with these guys and he's had moments as a Philly.

And you just have, it's like, Derek Hill is probably one of the three. guys in the team that you won up late in the game. It's funny. Edmundo is also one of those guys. Even though those numbers have been really, really down this year, I feel like seventh inning on, he's got a clutch factor to him. And same thing with Derek Hill. And there's a lot of people that, of course, when Derek Hill has a game like that and does his thing and love him, it's like, well, he's got to be the everyday center field. It's like, we're not burying Justin Crawford, who is the one of their top prospects and a guy they actually developed and got to the major leagues.

So, you know, there's a platoon out there. That's fine. You know, they have platoons at center field and left field now. Marsh and De La Cruz are in left, and Hill and Crawford are in center field. You know, that's fine. Obviously, now with Harper being the everyday right fielder. But, man, sometimes you need a spark. And certainly tonight, Derek Hill provided a spark.

and it was much, much needed because, again, I was getting ready to come on here and just go scorched earth after what I thought was a half-measured day, a day where they dip their toes in the water but didn't cannonball off the deep end and truly do what it takes to put this team in contention for a World Series. And then to come out like that, flat, not into the game at all, just some embarrassingly quick at bats.

some in the middle of the game from Turner and Harper, it really felt bleak. And Derek Hill stepped up when needed and obviously really lifted this ball club tonight and made a good play on the field as well. A couple other takeaways. Again, 215, 592, 94 to get in. Nola was fine and he's kind of just been fine

for a good stretch now. It's never going to, you know, blow the doors off. we're like, wow, look at Aaron Nola. And it is unbelievable that every time he misses his spot by a quarter of an inch, the ball is just blasted. And, you know, people forget. He's now a top 75 pitcher in the sport, according to Dave Nebraska's analytics. So, very excited to listen to old Dombo after wrapping up the final out tonight. But, you know, Nola has settled into the season.

He's not, again, he's not unbelievable. but compared to where he was around with that pirate start, where there was a lot of talk of DFA or bullpen or whatever, got to get him out of here and things like that. And I don't love that there's still four and a half years left in the deal for sure. But at least we're seeing signs of life. And they generally have won games that he has started this year. Now, I believe they went 0 for July.

I think he's 0 for July, even though he's, even though he started pitching better, of course, because in June he was horrendous, and I think they won all of his starts, but that is baseball. And good to see Harper hit that ball, 113 miles an hour, 113 miles an hour, certainly climbing his way out of that July swoon that he went through. A horrendous July, one of the worst months of his career as a Philly, and he's riding now an eight-game hitting streak at the home run today, had the home run yesterday,

and seeing him smoked that baseball today was a sight to see. So much, much needed, and we will see how he looks out there in right field. Billy is in Delco? What's happening, Billy? Hey, Fitz, what's going on? What's up, man? No much.

No, I was calling in about the trade deadline. I think it's fantastic. And the whole idea of, you know, changing the field changes the game. And I think for a really good baseball team, maybe you need that because sometimes it gets those unbelievable starters to just hit better. That makes sense. You mean changing the field in what way? What do you mean? Well, you send Bryce to third.

You send, you know, boom over to first and Bryce out to right. And you bring in every year. That's awesome. you know and I think it's actually just like when you're a really good ball player that actually might ignite you and make you better yeah I mean yeah I mean possibly Billy the thing for me is I do feel like you downgraded defensively in a lot of spots you know I think bone to Harper is a downgrade a rise even though he's been good defensively this year he's definitely a downgrade with Stott and at third base I think style'll be fine that's not a big issue Harper's not been, he wasn't like great and right a couple of years ago.

To me it's just there is an obvious, obvious pull-to-plog-plog-on-Bome thing. They have tried to move on from Alec Bohm for two off-season and now a trade deadline. And he just keeps on surviving. And they keep on telling he's a good player, even though they keep trying to get rid of him. and no one wants to get him. Like, the bone thing is so funny because, you know, people will tell you that, oh, look at the RBIs, and he's a run producer, and his defense is improving.

And then every time there's a chance to trade for him, no one wants him. Doesn't quite add up, add up, does it? So, yes, again, I am happy they got Louis rise. I wanted a change of the mix in the infield and in the, or not the infield, but really in a lineup, 100%. My issue is that it's still 80%. It's like getting in the red zone, but not going over the top. I think that's more my concern. I don't need to bring up a Romer-Marquez for a half-season a rise because they may, you know, extend them after the year.

But, yes, on the surface, adding his bat is going to be, I think it's going to be a joy to watch. I think it's going to be a joy to watch. And he'll be here tomorrow. He'll be in the lineup, and I cannot wait to see how Don Maddenly configures the lineup and how he kind of shakes this whole thing out. It's going to be very, very intriguing. All right. On the other side, in addition to your phone calls, we'll go to the wow moment of the game

and some other thoughts as well. That's coming up next here on the final out on Sports Radio 94 WIPA. He sure did. He sure did. It was funny on the TV broadcaster showing his home run against the Natsam earlier in the year. And then bang, he did it again. And that is our wow moment of the game, which is brought to you by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism from Waterfalls,

the Fairways, Mountain Resorts, the Lighthouse Tours. Find your wow and visit nj.com. Derek Hill, eventually we'll get to it. but he is the player of the game tonight. And what a game it was, what a pickup it was. And if Brian Dela Cruz can keep it up, if Derek Hill can keep it up, Crawford's been hitting well, Harper's now in the outfield.

Come on, man. You see the vision. You see the vision. Rick's in Easton. What's happening? Hey, Jack. I wanted to call earlier when, and I understand what,

bike was saying today where you don't want to have Turner, of his head, go, you know, to a different position. And I'm going to have to live with Stop playing third base because they can, if Turner keeps making errors, then they're going to have no choice, but to put Stott at short. So I'm okay with the defensive alignment, what you're talking about, with Bowman First and Bryce in right field. My question is with this lineup.

and this team in October have fallen on their face with all these people that want to give you all the statistics on why Schwerber has to hit first or second. You now can put your prolific home run hitter in the cleanup spot at the same time kill two birds with one stone and give Harper that protection. If you don't start with Arise hitting first and Turner hitting second and Harper hitting third and Schwerber hitting fourth, I don't care what you do after those four. Leave those four alone, Jack, for 55 games. You've never had Schwerber hit fourth in this lineup since he's been here for an extended period of time. I don't think of two-week experiments. Got to go with those four.

I don't care about left, left, left, right, left. That fell on its face with Thompson. You've got to have those four people start. And are you agreeing with that? Because you know baseball. How do you not go that way? Well, I appreciate the phone call, Rick. I sort of, I disagree.

Like, I, what sucks right now is that Schwerber is going through a slump or whatever's going on, whether it's the back, I hope it's not the back, but there was a story from Matt Galbra, Charlotte Barnes last week about how he's changed his pregame routine up to where, to try to preserve the back. And he says, I'm not hurt. Well, I don't know. That, I don't know if you're not, maybe you're not hurt, but you're certainly not firing on all

cylinders. So, you know, one of my takes from the night was that he just, he just seen. It's totally off. Kind of looks like he's overcompensating for, you know, Apostleback injury and trying to jump, be a little bit jumpy to the baseball. But when Kyle Schwerber is Kyle Schwerber, I don't want him getting less of bats in a ballgame.

Like, I'm fine if Arise is leading off, but then I want Turner batting forth. And I'll go, Arise Schwerber Harper. You know, I understand in theory, when we think about the game in the game that a lot of people grew up, it is the traditional cleanup hitter. But, you know, the game has evolved and you want your best hitters getting more at bats in the game. And, you know, Trey's showing a decent amount of power this year. He's like,

what, 16 home runs now? So, you know, obviously it's dependent upon Schwerber and where he's at and how he's playing. I'm not married to him in the two-hole. But if Schwerber-Schwerber, I want him getting as many at-bats in a ballgame possible. So, or you know, maximizing his abats in a ball game. So,

I think, I guess, man, I wonder if they will move Trey out of the lead of spot. And he's hitting, but he did get a rise. So, I don't know. I don't know. Maybe they'll try Turner,

Arise, Harper, Schwabber. But man, I don't know. I don't know. Unfortunately, Schwerber's going through a cold stretch right now, but I'm still not ready to move him down because I think he's too impactful of a bat. Good Kirkering game tonight. Much needed. He is very expletive about how frustrated he's been recently. And at least for one night, he got off to a good start in hopefully

writing the ship a little bit. It was aided by a very good catch by Derek Hill to start that inning. So good stuff from him. And for the first time since Matt Strom, I want to say, out in L.A., I think Schwerber hit three home runs that game. The Phillies actually retaliated. In the ninth inning, Joanne Duran let a little splitter at 100 miles an hour. Ride in with two outs.

and hit Brady House. And for the first time, this team does not retaliate, does not show, you know, doesn't always show the level of gumption that I think that a lot of us would like to see, the fight that I think a lot of people would like to see. It was at least refreshing to see them hit someone after a couple of their guys got plunked and, you know, got some fastballs up and in. So I don't know if we're going to have a, you know, a bunch of benches clearing brawls with this team now. But it was good to see at least there was a little bit.

They trade for Lewis to Rise and now they're just an old school baseball team. Who to thunk? Who to thunk? All right. On the other side, we will get to the player of the game and a look ahead to tomorrow night. All that's come up next year on the final out on Sports Radio 94 WIP. 3-2. Swung on, hit well, left center field, long run into the gap by Darry.

Eric Hill, he'll make the grab. And tumbles over and hangs on. Boy, he had to go a long, long way to get there, and he did. Just another reason why Derek Hill is my player in the game. Brought you by South Jersey Gas. Make the smart play Save Energy and Money with South Jersey Gas at SJG SaveEnergy. And I got to be honest. I'm not sure the other centerfielder gets to that ball.

Not sure. But the nice part about having someone out there that's more of a natural is they can make plays like that, much like watching Bader last year. And what a breath of fresh air that was. So Derek Hill, my player of the game, obviously the big home run, man, that Nats bullpen is something, isn't it? It's crazy. I know the 2020 season feels like forever ago, but that's what it was like. I mean, 2019 as well, it's not like the Phillies had a good bullpen then.

but, oh, every single time the bullpen door open, you're like, well, I might as well live bet against the Phillies. There's a zero percent chance they can hold this. And, you know, if the Nats, now the Nats are building. You know, they shipped out some pieces today. They'll probably trade C.J. Abrams this offseason. I mean, they are building for the 2030s, and they're going to be a problem. I think the Nats are building towards something special. But even this team this year is completely overachieved.

And had they had a bullpen, I mean, they are squarely in playoff contention. And what they've done with their offense overnight has been remarkable. And I'm very jealous given what the lack of production that we seem to get here versus the amount of money that we seem to pay these guys. So tomorrow we got Jesus Lazardo. As long as hopefully a six-run leave would be enough to win this one. but Hayes was Lazzardo versus Zach Lattah. Luttle pitched pretty well against the Phillies the last time,

which is frustrating because he is a old-school, big, hefty, 90-mile-an-hour throwing right-hander. He's Aaron Harrang, Aaron Harrang light, like is Zach Lattel. So Lazzardo versus Lattel tomorrow as the Phillies. We've got four against the Nats. So the Nats just sold off some pieces. one of the guys they traded Louise Garcia, hit a home run in his Yankees debut tonight, and they don't have to face Foster Griffin,

which certainly makes me feel better about this series. So looking forward to that. That's going to do it for the final out tonight. Louis Coco produced the... Louis Coco produced the program tonight. And Jody Mack, he's next. He'll take you through the rest of the night here on Sports Radio 94. WIPA.