High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Trea Turner's Two HRs Take Down Toronto

Episode Date: June 4, 2025

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies snapping their losing streak thanks to the return of Bryce Harper and Trea Turner's two home runs. 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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Are you ready to dive into the story stats and personalities that make baseball the greatest game in the world? Rob Radford 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 diehard 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. 1-0 pitch swung on line drive left field not deep in comes Kepler and he makes the catch

for the final out nice job by Carlos Hernandez here in the ninth and One two three go the Blue Jays and the Phillies hold on to win this one eight to three and Back on track the Phils get welcome on in it is the final out Jack Fritz hanging out with you here on this Tuesday night as we react to a nice little course correct by the Phillies tonight up in Toronto 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 for plumbing solutions two one five five nine two Ninety four ninety four is how you get in if you watch this one on your couch like I did Or if you were in Toronto, I'd love to hear from you as well But either way get in now I would love to hear your takeaways as well. But either way, get in now. I would love to hear your takeaways. As again, the Phillies got back on track against the Blue Jays who are over 500. So I know we've been obsessed with the nonsensical.

Oh, they're 13 and 15 against teams 500 and over. Try to explain it a couple of times. It's not that big of a deal and the Phillies now will see maybe now Maybe the maybe the Blue Jays will detract them and we'll say they're actually not that good Phil's still is beating up on bad teams and then can't can't be any good teams I want to just always be on that watch always want to be on the watch with that one but either way the biggest takeaways of the game are brought to you by Morgan & Morgan, America's largest injury law firm.

And I like how they just came out, sent a message early. I think they calmed a lot of people's nerves at home and maybe let us know that it's going to be OK. And what I liked about tonight is that in the off season, there was a lot of articles, there's conversations with, you know, Kevin Long and, and then Browski and Thompson about how they were going to have the tougher conversations early. They were not going to let things spiral out of control, I guess. And, you know, and they were going to get on top of things rather than hey these guys are pros

They'll work their way through it and I thought tonight was a good example of that and why I think tonight was a good example of that is What it made this offense work even without the home run and without the the slug as they like to say But what was making it work was using the entire field pass the baton, keep the train moving. And, you know, whether it take your walks, hit by pitch, go the opposite way using the entire field. And now, again, it's a better pitcher. It probably doesn't look the way that it looks in the first inning,

but every single hitter that inning, I mean, all went the opposite way. I mean, I know Bryce went yard, he pulled a ball, which is great to see. Having Bryce in the lineup was refreshing tonight, but still it was a lot of going the opposite way. And it was a lot of, you know, seeing the pitch late and taking it and just driving it the opposite way. Now, obviously, Trey had the big home run, but that has been the thing that has been a key to this offense. And it's why you look at their standard stats,

not getting into the Woba and the things that drive people crazy. But their standard overall stats as a team, I mean, they're top five in, I believe, OVP and average. And run score, they've been fine. It hasn't been via the home run. Now, tonight, there was a couple of home runs, which was great, but it's been more of that using the entire field approach.

And I thought getting right back on the wagon, or right back on the horse with Bryce Harper back in the lineup was a really good sign from that standpoint. And I just, trying to take them at their word of not letting things spiral out of control, getting on top of things and, and, and not letting bad habits creep in. I thought it was good from that standpoint tonight. So they jump out early, they send a message early. They, it got a little, a little bit tight, but thankfully, you know, Trey hit the second home run and he felt felt pretty good about it but overall I just like that they came out set a tone

Bryce being in the back of the lineup I mean it just it obviously he hit the home run which is great but but him being back in there and just how pitchers now have to pitch a little bit differently it's it's so massive and I know that in years past they've been fine with Bryce not in the lineup. If he has to miss a week or two, or in the 2022 case where he had to miss a month and a half, two months, they were able to survive it.

But I think the difference is that they didn't know if Bryce was gonna be in or out of the lineup, so they couldn't get comfortable. Like when you know the guy's done for a little bit, I think it's easier to just say, hey, it's on us now. When there's the uncertainty of is he gonna be back, is he not gonna be back, I think that's where they just looked off all weekend. And just having him back there and having his presence, and I thought it was, to hit a home run is great. The fact that he was driving the ball like that

in his first hit back, that's a really good sign. And that eases a lot of my fear of, did he have some kind of structural damage with that hit by pitch? Because I think that the power wasn't there and and it was more of a Just got a couple base hits Maybe you could say yeah Power's not totally back from from being hit by the pitch

But being able to go yard there certainly eased a lot of my leaves a lot of my fear two one five five nine two ninety four ninety four to get and then the other 215-592-9494 to get in and then the other big takeaway is our pitch count which is brought to you by the Plumbers Union Local 690 protecting the health of the nation visit plumbers690.org. 96 pitches for Chris Sanchez tonight. I thought he was good. I think it's been more of the same for Chris Sanchez so far this year and I tweeted this out a little bit earlier and I Chris Sanchez's floor is so high because his stuff is really good and the fastball

Changeup combination it's hard for hitters to to consistently square him up as long as he's around the strike zone, he's gonna get weak contact, he's gonna battle his way through a ball game. But what has separated Chris Sanchez this year versus Chris Sanchez last year, and this is not a knock, I think he's gonna get better as the season goes on, it's just where he's currently at. I mean, he walked he walked what four guys

tonight. There was a time in the in the middle portion of this game fourth fifth sixth where I mean he was just he wasn't even really close to strike zone and you know he got guys to to chase out of the zone and and generate a weak contact from that standpoint. But his command has to get better for him to be where a lot of us had him in spring training. And last year I thought his command was much better. He had better command of his fastball. And when he had command of his fastball, it made the change of that much more devastating.

Now what was nice about tonight? So he gets the bases loaded coffin comes out and he has a great back to end the fifth inning change-up looks Where the change-up? That it looked like the the great great great Chris Sanchez change-up and then goes back out in the six and like Rob Thompson after the game He was aggressive within the strike zone and maybe that unlocked him a little bit But he's got to be more aggressive in the strike zone and maybe that unlocked him a little bit But he's got to be more aggressive in the strike zone again Well, it's the it's the thing that's gonna take him from a five inning pitcher to a seven inning pitcher now tonight

He went six that was great went out there and was it was aggressive in the sixth and got through that inning But still before that and and I if their bullpen was in a better situation I'm not sure he's out there for the sixth but he was and and they pushed him and it's fine 96 pitches is perfectly okay but there's definitely been a drop off a little bit command wise for for Chris Sanchez this year and I think it's the biggest reason why I've seen a lot more five inning starts from him versus seven innings starts from Chris Sanchez and The nice part about it. He still pitched really well and he's been pitching really well

I mean only left four hits tonight one earned run He has a lot more home runs this year than than last year, but still His floor is just so high that If he can get the command right, which I think he can, I think Coughham can, there's still even more in there for Chris Sanchez. So again, a good start tonight against the Blue Jays offense that has been hot recently,

but that command is currently in my opinion, holding him back just a little bit. 215592, 94.94 to get in tonight on the final out. On the other side a situation to monitor plus the player of the game and Some thoughts on the bullpen all that's coming next on the final out on sports radio 94 w ypa Discover the magic of bet MGM casino where the excitement is always on deck pull up a seat and check out a wide variety

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free of charge. Bet MGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario. 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 the three-two pitch swung on and hit well down the left field line. Schneider giving chase. He's looking up and that ball is gone. Another home run for Trey Turner is second of the day, his seventh of the year and he gets that run back for the Phils. It's 8 to 1. Yeah, 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 dot com slash Conserve. Trey Turner, seven home runs on the year, every single one of them on the road. It is such a funny thing to monitor, but will he hit a home run this year?

I guess we will have to see. Welcome on back, it is the final out. Jack Fritz hanging out with you on this Tuesday night as the Phillies write the ship tonight up in Toronto. I've actually played pretty well recently. I felt like there was a stretch there when they were not that competitive, but there was a stretch there where they went up there and got blasted. I mean, I remember Zac Eflin's Major League debut was up there. He got destroyed. Nick Pivetta, my boy, got shelled there on my wedding day. I remember that, which may be a sign for old Nicky that it wasn't meant to be.

I mean, still, it's pretty poetic. But regardless, regardless, they have played well and obviously the The the big comeback last year move game of the year where Schwab er goes deep three times funny moment with Schwab er Of course before the game with Mac Scherzer They like mess with Mac Scherzer yet Trey Turner in in spring training hitting and hitting him with the ABS system thing and then and then Schwab er tonight jumping into the Into the batter's boxes as Scherzer is trying to face live batters system thing and then and then sure we're tonight jumping into the into the

batter's boxes as Scherzer is trying to face live batters so you know Scherzer one of the most intense guys in the game seems like his old teammates like messing with him but speaking about Trey you know I understand the defense thing I get it I know he's not great defensively by the way that error on Sunday was his first he's made in a month like he's I know he's not great defensively. By the way, that error on Sunday was his first he's made in a month. He's had improvements from that standpoint. That's not to say that he's Jimmy Rollins out there. But I think we've actually started underrating Dre Turner. The guy is leading the national league in hits.

He is starting to hit for more power, obviously more on the road. And when you talk about Trey or yet you hear about Trey, it's just over the top negativity every single time with the guy. And if you want to, you know, talk about the contract over and over again well he might be an all-star again I mean, you know Lindor is probably gonna be the starter at shortstop, but trays like making a case He deserves to be on the all-star team of course. He's hitting over 300. He's he's up to seven home runs, and I just It almost feels like there's nothing he can do because he's he's not a great defensive player

To to win to win a portion of the fan base over. But I actually think that we've really started underrating how good Dre Turner is. And we're seeing the guy that they did give the $300 million contract to. Now we've seen spurts of this. The beginning of last year, I know people like to just forget just forget but he hit 350 and was was starting shortstop in the All-star game in 23 after the ovations he was like the best player in baseball to close out that season. He was ridiculous

So we've seen the the hot Trey Turner, but I think what has been nice about Trey at the plate is You're not seeing the swing and miss, you're not seeing the strikeouts, you're seeing him try to launch early, you know, do damage early, and then if he gets to two strikes you're seeing a real two strike approach. He's going toe tap, he's not doing the big leg kick, and it's working for him. And what I think is interesting about Trey and one of these situations to monitor is whether or not they just stick Trey and one of these situations to monitor is whether or not they just stick Trey Turner

in the leadoff spot. I really like Bryson Stott. I think he's a solid ball player. I just don't really think he's a leadoff hitter. And I think that if it was one inning, I guess I would get it because he sees pitches and that's a Really important skill set to have and in a perfect world. I like that out of my leadoff spot But his OBP is still at 300 or hovering under it his OPS is still on the

680s he it's not an Impact bat. It's not an impact bat. It's someone that can get a single, but with Trey Turner, the way he's currently hitting, and he's actually been better in the leadoff spot. I mean, he has an 856 OBS in the leadoff spot, and I think he's hitting like 328. So I wonder if stock continues to struggle.

And again, heading into the night, now he had a pretty good night tonight. He's one for fourth of walk, but he had been hitting the two tens since May 1st. So I think he's a nice part of the lineup, Bryson's thought, but like if you want to see a ton of pitches and valve, a ton of pitches and, and do that, that could, that could provide value in the, in the the in the middle or bottom of the lineup, but I just think that I

Wanted an impact bat Getting the most of bats in a game and that's always been my question about start in a leadoff spot So again, he's wps under 300 and leadoff spot now. He's seeing a lot of pitches, which is great He's failing off a lot of pitches, which is great. He's fouling off a lot of pitches. There is value to that. But I wonder if they're getting close to just sticking Turner there

and seeing how it goes for a little bit. 215.592.9494 if you wanna get in on the final lap. Now, a couple other things that I noticed tonight. One, Joe Ross continues to interest me. I don't totally buy him as a back end option, but I think with the Taiwan now being back there, do they wanna keep him fresh? I know they keep saying that they're gonna try him

as a one inning guy. Knock yourself out. I don't, it isn't past my eye test. I would love to be wrong, but we'll see Joe Ross's is certainly interesting me and he had that Was it to be shit where he struck him out like on a 94 mile an hour cutter that I thought was a pretty nasty pitch I definitely don't love the idea of a high leverage Joe Ross

But a sixth seventh inning We are leading by two like it's still a semi-tight ballgame. I think I feel pretty good about about Ross I don't want him in the eighth don't want him in the ninth But at least that middle portion if you need him to take down two innings or even an inning I think he's developing into an a decent option from that standpoint I think Carlos Hernandez is starting to look a Little bit better like there you might be showing some flashes and I thought it was interesting when they called Seth Johnson up By the way, I would have loved to see Seth Johnson tonight, but whatever I know Carlos Hernandez

they probably want to get right more than Seth Johnson, but you know, I thought I Thought was interesting that they they DFA Jose Ruiz Before Carlos Hernandez because Ruiz has been on this team. He's shown shown flashes a deep Heat started taking down some hot leverage spots At the end of last year and he's coming back from an injury still so they chose Carlos Hernandez over him now they won't have to make a decision on on Carlos Hernandez yet because Zach Wheeler is

gonna go on paternity and that's how they can bring Nick Abel up so they kind of dodged something there but they they clearly are interested in Carlos Hernandez and I thought command-wise he had it tonight now it was not a not the most stressful situation so I if that's a one-run game I don't think that that goes the exact same way but he does have something he does have something and if they can get him right that would would be a real big, a real big option for this pen. It's a huge jump, it's a huge leap, but I think the last couple of times out, it's been a little bit better version of Carlos Fernandez, and tonight he was all

over the strike zone. And then the other thing, I thought Boam, Boam now being with Bryce Harper back, he doesn't have to feel like he has this added pressure. He looked much closer to the Alec Boam that we've, we've seen for a good little stretch here. I think when Boam gets higher up in the lineup, I think he puts more pressure on himself. So he feels like, all right, there's my opportunity where I got to help carry the team.

And with Bryce back and I know he's still batting fifth. I just let you saw a more relaxed Alec bone tonight and he's able to kind of go do his thing So good stuff from Boomer four hits tonight even beat out a dribble up third baseline I mean like a cat like cat Boomer. All right on the other side We will close it out on the phone lines, but also a look ahead to tomorrow Plus an interesting development down in charlotte at the iron pigs game What happened we'll get to that coming up next on the final out on sports radio 94 wip Whether it's a family member friend or furry companion joining your summer road trip

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The pitch swung on. Line drive, right field. Barger going back at that. He's looking up at that one and that ball is into the Phillies bullpen as well. And gone. Back to back home runs for Turner and Harper Harper and the Phillies jumped out to a three nothing lead Welcome back Bryce Harper Yes, welcome back indeed just lengthen line about having someone in that spot that'll work a pitcher and and I mean it was

and and I mean it was It went from wow, this line is pretty deep too. Oh my gosh This is this is rough with Bryce being out but all of a sudden he goes back in there. Everything looks looks right everything's all right in the world and I had been worried all day when worried on the podcast about is he gonna be able to drive the ball with with the injury? About is he gonna be able to drive the ball with with the injury? Looked fine from from that standpoint worked a couple walks as well tonight Good to have MV 3 back in the fall. And I thought it was a nice postgame presser on on TV Or you know with with fransky and and Rube just talking about You know being able to be there with his teammates and talk to his teammates the last couple days and he'd like doing that kind

Of stuff so seems like he's in a really good spot, but he definitely, from the power department, now he's up to nine on the year. We're still on track for 500, and it's certainly slowed down in the last little bit, but we need Bryce to get into the 500 home run club. So, you know, we need the power to continue to come for Bryce, so good to come for Bryce.

So good to see that tonight. We'll see how the rest of the series goes. Now, interesting going on down in Charlotte tonight. So Dave Dabrowski is usually with the Major League team. He goes on a lot of the road trips, and he's there. And tonight, he was down in Charlotte watching the iron pigs and you know maybe stayed up over the weekend in philly cuz they were home

and wanna watch in there and didn't feel like going to norfolk to watch the iron pigs but I don't think that's not nothing and what I find interesting about it is I don't think any Any like me like Major League quality arms through tonight? I mean the Japanese guy they signed in the offseason Aogi he started the game. He's he's not a real option for this bullpen I think he was there to see see Otto Kemp and and Justin Crawford and get his eyes on him and and see if he thinks they could be Legitimate pieces for this team. I think I remember in 23. He was up in Redding really early watching watching Johan Rojas and they felt like Johan Rojas could help that ball club in 23 given how unproven he was I mean

Crawford for as many question marks as I have about him, I know you look at the, the stash line and you say, well he's ready, he's ready, he's ready. Listen, he's, he's hitting in a high average. Sure. Uh, but he's, he is a 60% ground ball rate right now, which is insanely high. So do those turn into hits at the major league level? I think he'll still be able to beat out a good amount because he's really fast.

But with major league quality fielders, does he have the same average, yada, yada, yada? He's still striking out at a decent clip. I know that the average is enticing but I don't know But at the same time it's like Johan Roas was not nearly wasn't producing the way that Justin Crawford is producing right now So it's it's that kind of dynamic but regardless I Think he's there for a reason. I think he's there for a reason I think

he's there to see who can maybe help this club Marin Coney's went yard tonight for the iron pigs they won again they are an absolute wagon deepest iron pigs team of our lives everyone's talking about it and then Otto Kemp also went yard so now I think he's playing third base tonight, so he was not playing outfield. But him being there, I don't think is nothing. And my gut says he wants to get his eyes on Kemp or Crawford and see if he feels like he needs to make a move there with either Weston Wilson or one of the centerfielders. You know, Crawford, I think his center field defense is a little bit overstated because he's fast.

He might be a better defensive left fielder, but I think he certainly can go out there and play the position at a major league level. So tomorrow, Mick Abel on the mound again versus Jose Barrios. I feel like they face Barrios every single spring training. I feel like it's just like the burrios to face three times So it'll be interesting to see him in the regular season I think they faced him last year when they went up there But Mick Abel excited to see what he can do. Obviously the last outing was amazing at the same time. That was the Pirates I thought he's a little predictable in that start and against a better offense. They'll be more prepared for him. I thought he just I thought he just

Pounded them with a bunch of first pitch fastballs. I don't think that's gonna work tomorrow You know, he might only get two starts up here with Nola now with no look coming back eventually Thompson said like if he's pitching well, they're inclined to keep him up here. So we'll see but Cubs and Jays and back to back starts, it's gonna be two offenses that are certainly looking the part semi-early in this portion of the season. So, looking forward to it. Anytime there's a young kid on the mound with the stuff that McCable has,

it's always a little bit more interesting to check in. He went right back to AAA and looked like the guy that pitched in that pirate start. So he might be changing their plans. I know there's been a lot of thought of him being trade bait. He's doing a lot of things right now to help this team. One, he's increasing his own trade value if they did want to move him. Two, he is pitching well enough and forcing their hand where he has to be in the starting rotation

at the big league level. So he can help from that standpoint. And maybe, just maybe, if he's here through the trade deadline, he could be a real weapon out of that bullpen. So a lot of good developments with McAbel. Obviously, he still has to pitch well. But he gets his next opportunity tomorrow up in

Toronto. Cannot wait for that. Alright that's going to do it for me. Thanks to everyone that hung out tonight, Francisco Rojas produced. I'll be back tomorrow leading you into the game and having how have you after the game as well. So looking forward to that. TK, Tom Kelly's coming up next here on sports radio 94WYP.