High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Two Bohmers Lead To Phils Win

Episode Date: April 20, 2024

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies' 7-0 win over the Rockies on Friday night. 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

All-star closer, Kenley Jansen, we have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball Isn't Boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago and is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is.

Another fact, so jump aboard the BIB Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 Friday night as the Phils.

They've won four straight. We call that a winning streak around these parts. If you're leaving the ballpark, we'd love to talk to you. Get in and out. 215-592-9494 is the exit and always entertaining roundtable from the Phils broadcasters. The wrap-up tonight sponsored by Blaser Swiss Lube and Crevits, the metalworking fluid specialist providing professional CNC machine cleaning, coolant maintenance programs, and waste coolant disposal.

Kravitz.online. A lot to get to. An exciting night down at CBP. My biggest takeaways of the game are always brought to you by Morgan & Morgan, America's largest injury firm. And my first big picture takeaway, I guess, from that game tonight, and really this week, and yes, I totally understand, they are playing some dreck opponents when it comes to the Rockies and the White Sox. But it does feel like they've settled into the season.

You know, first week, meltdown city. Per usual, they come out a little bit slow. Bang, they suck. Rob Thompson should be fired. Get Schwarber out of the leadoff spot. Bullpen sucks. Starting rotation sucks. Bryce Harper can't hit. Yada, yada, yada. It feels like they've kind of settled down. Now, playing worse opponents obviously helps from that perspective, but they look like they're playing a little bit more complete baseball. You've seen the ball fly out of the ballpark a little bit more. Their pitching staff has been really good, but you're not seeing the base running errors.

You're not seeing terrible defensive mistakes. It seems like beginning of the year, it was a lot of expectations. People are expecting them to get off to a quick start. They don't. Panic sets in the streets. They're wondering how good they really are. And you wake up April 19th. They're four games over.500.

They've won four straight. And they look closer to the team that I think that we had anticipated them being when the season opened. So it feels like they've settled into this year, and I think we'll be seeing more of this type of baseball going forward. Now, the unfortunate part is it seems like the Braves are just going to continue to roll,

even with Spencer Strider missing time here and Ozzie Albee's missing time. I mean, Travis Darnot hit three home runs tonight. Marcelo Zuna is like the best hitter in the sport. Someone, someone, just saying someone, not saying me, not saying Ben Kenney behind the glass, someone investigate the Braves. Because what they do during the regular season is getting out of control. But regardless, they're playing good baseball.

That's all you're going to ask for. Things have calmed down. And one of the main reasons things have calmed down is this starting staff. I mean, what a week. Now, obviously, they had a weekend to get to. But during the week, they allowed one earned run. One earned run. And it was a home run that Aaron Nola allowed on Monday night.

Made one bad pitch, seemingly, the entire night. And it got a home run that Aaron Nola allowed on Monday night, made one bad pitch seemingly the entire night, and it got hit out. Now, that White Sox lineup is just atrocious. I mean, just atrocious. And I'm not sure Jerry Reinsdorf is ever going to pay for a free agent again because he paid for Andrew Benatendi. And that looks like a total disaster. So, I mean, David Fletcher, Eloy has been a huge bust. Gavin Sheets stinks. Andrew Vaughn's been a huge bust.

Benintendi's been a huge bust. They signed Paul DeYoung out of nowhere. Shoemakey was the third baseman. Nicky Lopez, of course, of the Atlanta Braves last year. And Martin Maldonado, I guess they were able to find someone with a lower batting average than Nick Castellanos to round out their lineup. I mean, it is atrocious.

I will say this, though. Spencer Turnbull was just downright dominant. And he's been really good this entire year. Blew his ERAs 1.2. Last start, a little bit of a hiccup. I just don't know how you take him out of the rotation. I just don't. You know, I understand the economics of it.

I understand Tyrone Walker is going to be put back in the rotation. But Spencer Turnbull, what else is he supposed to do? They could go six-man, and I've seen that kind of been floated around. Wheeler doesn't love it. And last year year it took a big toll on the bullpen. So I don't think that's going to work. I know it's a predicament. I know it's a tough situation. I know it's a tough spot.

But we need a guy like Spencer Turnbull, who, again, does have stuff. I mean, it's not like we're watching him pitch every fifth day and being like, eh, this feels a little bit fluky. Stuff seems like it's getting sharper every single time he's out there. He throws five pitches that are competitive. Hitters have no idea what pitch is coming next. He pitches backwards. He can mix in a curveball slider, whatever, behind an account.

Like, he's pitching right now and he's efficient tonight which is great last start wasn't that efficient he went like four and four and a third and was was walking more people and was throwing a ton of pitches that wasn't the case tonight he's more efficient with it more in the strike zone and doing his job and it And it bugs me that they're just going to hand that spot back to Taiwan because of his contract status. I don't think he's – he hasn't earned it. Minor league rehab appearances suggest he hasn't earned it. I know it's not like he's getting ripped down there,

but one strikeout, three walks the other night up in Lehigh Valley, that's annoying. And, you know, people will bring up, well, 56 innings last year, sure. And he missed time the year before. But he's been a starter. You have to let him start. So why can't I see him wear down before I say he's going to wear down? Like that's the part that bothers me.

So I wouldn't go back to Taiwan if your whole thing is, all right, we'll make Spencer Turnbull a long man. First off, a long man only pitches when you're either up by a ton or down by a ton. He's been better than that so far. If anything, make Taiwan the long man. But Scott Boris is his agent. He's been paid a lot of money. I get it.

They're probably going to go back to him. But, I mean, Spencer Turnbull's been really good. And the part that worries me is, okay, let's take him out of the rotation. You move him to the bullpen. He's a long man. Maybe he works his way into some high leverage spots. Whatever. Taiwan stinks.wan can't pitch

proves the arms cooked what if then you insert him back into the rotation and he's not as good as he is right now he's not in as good of a rhythm and stuff isn't as sharp could happen could not happen but when a guy's in a role like this, I'm not taking him out of the rotation for a guy that doesn't deserve it. The contract's the only reason we're putting Tywon Walker back in that spot. If Spencer Turnbull was making $17 million a year and Tywon Walker is making $2 million a year

on a one-year deal, this wouldn't even be a discussion. And that's what bothers me. Turnbull's earned it. He's gone out and earned it. He gives you a chance every fifth day. He strikes guys out. He pitches. Pitches backwards. All the stuff you want versus here's four innings in the first or four runs in the first and offense i hope you have your good stuff today that bothers me that bothers me turnbulls earned it stick with them and put time one on the bullpen and my last big takeaway here before we get to the phones and again 215-592-9494 if you're leaving the ballpark to get in is listen i understand that when I say this stat, it's like, duh, Jack. Obviously,

if they hit more home runs, they're going to win ball games. But they are 24-3 in their last two years when they hit three-plus home runs in the game. So it's kind of their magic number. If they can get to three home runs, then generally win they're a power driven team rob thompson and howard got into it in a couple weeks ago talking about our last week talking about how they approach things on offense and yeah i mean things look right when they're hitting home runs obviously alec bohm hit two tonight which is good to see. Where I'm at with Alec Baum is I no longer believe the power is going to come. I'm more in the wait and see mode with Alec Baum. But, I mean, I would just love it.

I mean, it totally changes his ceiling as a player. his ceiling as a player you know he can go from a 275 to 290 hitter with 20 home runs versus 25 to 30 that's just such a massive increase and and more valuable production from third base like right now he's a average defensive third baseman and a pretty average hitter if you can add five home runs you can add 10 home runs then it's like okay that's a high high level offensive player so alec boom obviously great tonight hit a couple home runs and they took care of business and that's all you can ask for when you're playing against some of these bottom feeder teams in Major League Baseball. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94 is how you get in. Jack Fritz hanging out with you here on the final out.

On the other side, we'll get to your phone calls, plus a couple other bright spots from the lineup and a whole lot more here on the final out on Sports Radio 94 WIP. 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 Coe 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. 92 pitches for Spencer Turnbull tonight. Six and a third, no hit ball,

and ultimately another gem spun by Spencer Turnbull tonight. The pitch count is sponsored by Plumbers Union 690, protecting the health of the nation. Visit plumbers690.org. The final out is sponsored by Regency Furniture, affordable and never looks so good. Jack Fritz hanging out with you on this Friday night. Another good crowd down at the ballpark tonight.

A little cold, a little cold. I guess we were spoiled with the 70s earlier in the week. We had to get right back into the rain and 50-degree weather by Friday. So awesome, awesome stuff. Get us some more thoughts on the lineup here in a second, but let's go back to the phones. Mike's in Westchester. What's happening, Mike?

Fritz, I don't know who let the Phils get hot. I mean, the Phils are hot. What a bunch of morons. I mean, it? Fritz, I don't know who let the Phils get hot. I mean, the Phils are hot. What a bunch of morons. I mean, it only took playing, what, a team that's combined five wins on the year or six wins on the year? But it doesn't matter. Phils are hot.

Nonetheless, they let us get hot. A couple quick things before Turnbull. Kirkering looked great. Trey Turner, excellent. Alec Boehm. I agree with everything you said earlier. The White Sox are a bit of a disaster talent-wise, but, I mean, Crochet's a legit lefty.

I know. And that first home run was a 97-mile-per-hour, up-and-out, rising fastball. I mean, what a swing. He took that out. If he could hit like that consistently behind guys like Bryce, JT, and Trey, that's not only going to be great for him as a player,

this team will be elevated if he can keep doing that. Yeah, and I guess I'm on the standpoint where I really like Alec Boehm. I think he's a good player. I need to see the power come before I'm like, bang, there it is. We've seen that two home run games in the past, and they're great. And when he connects and he is driving the ball, it's beautiful. But he just gets in too many of these streaks where it's just ripping the baseball into the ground.

So, hopefully tonight was definitely one of those kind of breakout performances from that standpoint. Yeah, definitely a couple great swings. Quickly on Turnbull, he is, I think you put it perfectly, he's pitching. He's not throwing out there. He's finding corners. Hitters are wildly off balance. He's actually reminding me a little bit of Aaron Nola. I mean, obviously not with the same stuff, but he's just finding corners and people are guessing up there. And there's no, if you're watching the game and you take economics and the contracts out of it, there is no logical reason to keep him out of the rotation.

So with that being said, hashtag let Turnbull stay. Let's get that trending. We're going to be doing some work. Let him know. We want our boy to get a couple more outings. Good stuff as always, Fritz. Go, Phil. I'll do my best.

Thanks, Mike. Appreciate it. Yeah, I think the key and the thing that I've learned in my years, I guess, of talking baseball here on WIP is that when I go hard against the Phils from the standpoint of tonight, I was like, listen, they're not going to hit Garrett Crochet. He's got the most strikeouts in the AL. Guy's a stud. It is what it is. They're facing a good pitcher tonight.

If they win, hopefully they can kind of get to the bullpen. The Phillies strike out a ton. Garrett Crochet strikes out a ton. They made me look like an idiot. Thankfully so, but I did that with Ryan Feltner on Wednesday. I'm a sucker for talent. I don't know what

to tell you. I'm a sucker for guys. I don't know what to tell you. I'm a sucker for guys that throw hard and get a ton of strikeouts. So, I guess the key is always doubt the Phils. At least in the pregame show. And then when the game starts, and maybe they come out a little bit cold, doubt the Phils. But then postgame, ultimate confidence.

There's no more confident postgame show in the entire country than the final out when the Phils win. There's just not. There's no more confident post-game show in the entire country than the final out when the Phils win. There's just not. It's as simple as that. They let the Phils get hot. So Garrett Crochet came in tonight, a lot of good stuff, striking out a ton of batters, and the Phils kind of took it to him. And two of the guys that I want to keep highlighting here, one is Trey Turner, like Mike mentioned. I mean, he's batting over 400 in the last week. Looks like the guy they paid for has an extra base hit in six straight games,

and it might have taken a lot of infield hits to kind of get him going, but whatever. I mean, this is part of how you hit 300 and above. I mean, he's up to, what, 350 so far this year? But part of how you get to that is with infield hits, and you use your speed to your advantage. But he looks like the total package right now, the strikeouts have been cut down a little bit, and he's just using his speed, and that's really important. So after the beginning of the year year that looked like a slow start,

it's good to see Trey Turner turning a corner here from the standpoint of driving the baseball, getting some extra base hits, and looking like the guy they paid for. And the second thing here is Whit Merrifield, who obviously has been much maligned. I believe one host of this show may have said on the afternoon show today, what about cutting Whitmerryfield if he does not keep up the hot,

or does not turn it around at the plate for Scottie Jetpacks? Because Scottie Jetpacks did have five home runs in six games heading into the game tonight for Lehigh Valley, and an OPS over 1,000 this week. So Jetpacks back's officially back in session. However, Whitmerryfield maybe hurt that segment down at the ballpark today and went yard off of crochet, which is good to see. Also hit a ball to the wall later that at least jumped off his bat a little bit.

Whitmerryfield is a professional hitter. There's been a lot of talk of he's adjusting to coming off the bench because he's been a starter for so long. Maybe that's a factor here. There's been a lot of doubting Whitmerryfield, it seems like, on social media and on WIP, and that's fine. When a guy's underperforming, I get it. I haven't given up on Whitmerryfield. I think he's going to be a productive player here. I think the bat's going to get going. He's had too long of a track record of being a good hitter. Even last year, before he pulled his groin, he was batting.301 in August. Now he fell off a cliff after that, but there was a good player there.

So I'm not giving up on Whitmerryfield. I think there's still a good player, and hopefully tonight was maybe a monkey off the back and we can kind of see more of the real Whitmerryfield. The question is, where's he getting the bats? You're not taking Marsh out with what he's doing. Rojas is slowly heating up. Stott, slow start, but he's your second baseman.

Boehm, two dingers tonight. It'll be interesting to see how they work with Merrifield in, but at least we saw some signs of life at the plate tonight. Dylan's in New York. What's happening, Dylan? Hey, Jack. It's been a while. It has been a while, man.

How are you? I'm good. I was at the game tonight, actually. So it was a great night, great game. 39,069 strong uh but the thing is i'm annoyed by this taiwan turnbull thing i you know after a night like that i should be happy but the way that that played out it's like the one way that i would be not at peace anymore with this taiwan turnbull kind of switch that we're going to have because you know taiwan is starting that next spot.

I mean, it would have been so funny to see what happened if he actually threw a no-hitter. If he threw a no-hitter and they're like, ah, we're going to work Taiwan back in. I would love to see the reaction in the city. Yeah, I mean, over the course... And I knew I was going to this game. So over the course of this week, my antenna was up

for any Taiwan stuff of how that's going to play out. And it felt like the timeline on him accelerated from maybe being late April, May, to now he's ready to go. And it just feels like, I don't want to speculate too much, but it feels like someone said something, something happened this week that accelerated it. And of course, that's right when Turnbull has his best start of the season. So I'm a little bit annoyed on that, but I want to make sure I'm enjoying the win

because it was such a great win. And Alex Boehm having two homers, lifting the ball, all the stuff we wanted to see from him offensively. It was a great night for Alex Boehm and, obviously, Turnbull, too. Yeah, I appreciate the phone call, Dylan. Yeah, it was a great night. It was a great night. I'm not letting the impending Taiwan Walker doom shield me from that

or make me worried tonight. I'm going to enjoy the win, like Andrew Reid always said, and I'm going to keep, I guess, I mean, praying is probably a little much, but hoping that Spencer Turnbull stays turn the ball, stays in rotation, and they can figure this whole thing out. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94 to get in on the final out. On the other side, we'll get to the play of the game, the player of the game, and a look ahead to tomorrow against the dreadful, dreadful White Sox

before closing out the final out here on Sports Radio 94 WIP. That is our play of the game, sponsored by Mike's Amazing, the official mayo and mustard of the Phillies. Welcome on back. It is the final out, sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable never looks so good.

Jack Fritz hanging out with you on this Friday night, reacting to a Phil's 7-0 win down at CPP tonight behind the co-players of the game. I can't give it to one player because they're both brilliant. The players tonight of the game sponsored by South Jersey Gas Conserve, helping customers and the community save energy and money. Visit SouthJerseyGas.com slash conserve. And I'm obviously giving it to Turnbull and Alec Boehm.

Alec Boehm providing the spark on offense. 2-3 on home runs don't see that very often and then spence a turnbull just brilliant now ben kenney i believe you said that turnbull thought the giving up the hit was a blessing in disguise yeah he called it a blessing okay well listen i get it you know the throwing more pitches a guy who hasn't thrown a ton of pitches over the last couple years he probably wants to maintain his health versus going for a no-hitter, especially when you already have one. But come on, Spencer Turnbull.

I've got a little bit more dog in you. Just kidding. Good stuff out of those two tonight. So big night down at the ballpark. Phils are rolling four straight. We'll see what happens tomorrow. Colin is in Conjahawk. What's happening, Colin?

Hey, how are you, Jack? What's happening, man? Hey, nothing. Just give me a call. I wanted to go over a few things. I don't think we should write off Tywon Walker yet. You know, he's made two rehab starts. And I think writing him off just makes it that some people are going to root against him.

And the truth is we're a better ball club if he can pitch our games for us. Sure. Sure. I guess, guess you know I mean we did watch him last year and it wasn't exactly the most inspiring stuff. I'm not saying he can't

ever pitch again but given what we saw last year we saw in spring training him immediately going on the I.L. and not exactly lighting up his return like it's just when a guy's pitching to a one

two and then throws six and a third no hit ball tonight has looked pretty good. It's tough for me to want to go back to Tylan Walker. No, that's fair, but Spencer Turnbull didn't have a good 23 either. Truth be told, Jack, I actually wanted to call you to talk about something else.

Why do these games start at 6-40? I'm coming from Country Hockey and I left at 5-0-5 and I missed the first pitch. Yeah, I think they do it because they realize games are taking a little bit longer and they'd rather get it over with given that most people are home for the 7th through 9th and they just view it as getting it over. It started a little earlier and ended a little earlier.

I don't know. I mean, I feel like it's anti-working, man. I'm sitting there working my job, leave at 5-0-5, and I missed the first pitch. And I've been to three games this year. I haven't seen. I mean, I feel like it's anti-working, man. I'm sitting there working my job, leave at 5.05, and I'm missing the first pitch. And I've been to three games this year. Haven't seen one first pitch. You have Contra Hocking at 5.05, and you haven't been in the ballpark by 6.40? Yep, swear to God.

76 really does stink, doesn't it? You know, that's like, what, 12 miles? Yeah. Yeah, I don't know. Yeah, it's interesting, Colin. Sorry, I just, I don't know. it's interesting Colin sorry I just I don't know I mean I think the theory is you started a little

bit earlier you give yourself an extra half hour a lot of people like it I mean it seems like at least for people at home whether you go to the ballpark getting done earlier rather than maybe a 9 inning game that starts 7-0-5 ending at 10,

if it can end at 9-30, seems like that's more advantageous for a lot of people. I personally have loved the 640 starts, but that does stink if you leave at 5 and can't get in the ballpark for a first pitch at 640. James is in West Philly. What's happening, James? Hey, Brittany. How you doing, James? Hey, Brittany.

How you doing, man? Good, man. How's it going? Not too bad. Hey, I also just want to let you know, dude, you do a really nice job. You do a really good job. Thanks, man. I appreciate you.

I listen to the afternoons, man. I've been listening for a long time. I'm 37. And I've been listening for a long time. I'm 37. I remember when Ike started with Barkin. I go all the way back there. That's a long time.

That's a long time. Tell me about it, man. But it's a good show. You do a good job. Thanks, man. We're having a lot of fun. As well you should be. So Phillies are hot love them um i how can you not love the rotation right now i'm gonna get like one through four really solid um the bullpen is a little bit of a wild

card but i think it's a strength and really you look at the best teams that go deep into the playoffs they have good rotations and good bullpens and timely hitting. The regular season is so long. We're going to make the playoffs. We're that good. We're deep. We're a good team. We're going to make the playoffs. But how do

we match up against the best teams when we get to the playoffs? That's really what it comes down to. And I know I'm looking way ahead. But it's hard not to, James. I mean, when they've been in the World Series and been on the NLCS, they obviously choked last year. It's just so hard not to watch these games thinking,

okay, how does this play out in October? It's probably not fair for April baseball against the White Sox, the Rockies. But it's a reality of where this team is currently at. And how can you not like what they're doing right now? But you know what, though? Spencer Turnbull, you know, he'll come down to earth. He is what he is. He's had a really good start to this season.

We'll see how long it lasts. I don't know. I don't personally, you know, You have to look at his track record. It's not going to last. I'm happy for him, and I think it's great for us, but it's not going to last. We'll see. Yeah, I appreciate it.

It probably won't last. If I had to bank on it, it probably won't. But at the same time, he was always viewed as a breakout candidate. He was starting to break out in 2020, and I believe that's when he had the tommy john surgery so you know you watch him and it's not like it doesn't feel like watching him you're saying okay this is smoking mirrors seems like he can really pitch and it's not the 97 he used to have but maybe he spent a turn ball at 93 with some cut on the fastball the sinker at 94 the curveball as a as a getting me over pitch to get me back into counts slash a

strikeout weapon and the sweeper which has been really really good change-ups more work in progress sweepers a total game changer so it's it could fall, but I would rather see it fall apart, know it's going to fall apart, than hand it back to a guy that I frankly just don't have much confidence in. It's interesting. Scott Lauber tweeted out a little bit earlier tonight, and I said on the last High Hopes, by the way, subscribe to the High Hopes podcast. It's me and James Elster just nerding out about baseball. I said that top to bottom, bullpen included, this entire pitching staff I think is going to end the year with better numbers than the 11 pitching staff. Obviously, the 11 rotation is better.

I just meant top to bottom. But, and I know this is fun with numbers, five turns through the rotation, obviously Halliday Lee Oswald Hamels Blanton 347 ERA 2024 with Wheeler Nola Ranger Chris Sanchez and Spencer Turnbull 241 ERA so more fun with numbers you hit three runs. You win every game you're in, essentially. And this starting staff is better than the 2011 staff. Tomorrow, we got a 6.05 start. Obviously, the game here on WIP. Mike Soroka, the former Braves savior.

He's a huge Braves prospect. A couple years ago, hasn't been able to stay healthy. So far, his ERA this year is 6.98. And we got Zach Wheeler in a nice little bounce-back spot against a pretty cake opponent. So tonight was Crochet, their really

biggest threat in the rotation, which means, what, Soroka goes six innings tomorrow of one run ball? Feels about right. Seems like that's how this team kind of operates. Regardless, Zach Wheeler on the mound tomorrow. Five earned in his last start. Would like a bounce back, shut down type performance.

And frankly, let's turn it into a laugher so we can get him out after six and have Ricardo Pinto, I guess, drive us on home. So regardless, good win tonight. Phil's win, 7-0. Spence's turn ball, brilliant. Keep Spence in the rotation. Alec Boehm, two win tonight. Phil's win, 7-0. Spence's turn ball, brilliant. Keep Spence in the rotation. Alec Boehm, two home runs.

Good to see Whitmerryfield break out of it a little bit and just go sweep the White Sox. Team has three wins in the year. They're now 3-16. Go take care of business. I'll be back Monday reacting or leading you into the game and reacting post-game. We'll have a new High Hopes podcast on Sunday afternoon. So check out all of that.

Look up the High Hopes podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Ben Kenney produced the program tonight for him. And this has been another edition of the Final Out. Rob Cherry will take you through the rest of the night here on Sports Radio 94 WIP.