High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: We Fixed Castellanos

Episode Date: June 19, 2024

Jack Fritz reacts to Nick Castellanos's huge night in the Phillies' walk-off win over the Padres. 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

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or wherever you get your podcasts. How about those fightin' fills? Welcome on in. It is the final out. Sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable never looks so good. Jack Fritz hanging out with you on a beautiful, hot, definitely hot, Tuesday night reacting to, listen, we've had a couple games of the year.

You know, obviously the Baltimore game last Friday night. But man, what a night down at CBP. Team doesn't quit. Let's get into it all. 215-592- 9494. The game wrap-up sponsored by Blaser, Swiss, Lube, and Kravitz. The metal working fluid specialists providing

professional CNC machine cleaning, coolant maintenance programs, and waste coolant disposal. Kravitz.online. 215-592-9494. If you are in the car, stuck in traffic because you know no one left, no one's leaving that ballgame tonight, or if you just sat on your couch freaking out like I did, get in now. Because, again, it was another party down at CBP tonight.

25-3. 25-3 in their last 28 games at Citizens Bank Park. 25-3. I mean, this is a baseball season that a lot of us have dreamt about having a team like this. They are unbelievable at home. They never, ever quit. The biggest takeaways of the game brought to you by Morgan and Morgan, Morgan America's largest injury law firm. And it starts right there. Did it feel like their night tonight? No, they left a ton of runners on base. I mean, it felt like multiple scoring chances.

I mean, I think there was 11 left on base before the eighth. Schwarber hits the home run because of course. And then the ninth, I tell you what, you know, and this is a deep cut for people that remember this during the 07 to 11 run. But, I mean, Robert Suarez is turning into our Jonathan Broxton. Broxton, obviously we know about the Matt Stairs home run, but he also had the J-Roll walk-off,

and there was a regular season game in either 10 or I think it was 10, where they had a huge comeback off of Jonathan Broxton, and Robert Suarez might be that for this team, because Robert Suarez is really freaking good. Robert Suarez hasn't blown for this team because Robert Suarez is really freaking good. Robert Suarez hasn't blown a save yet heading into tonight.

He allowed two earned the entire season. I think he was spooked, obviously, with Bryce leading off, and great job by Bryce, meaning a tone setting at bat for that night, saying we're not done and we're not losing. That's kind of Bryce's mentality. It's been the last two postseasons. My buddy was at the game. He texted me that Suarez looked terrified out there.

I love that. I love the – that's like the CB penis kind of taking over on an opposing pitcher. So Robert Suarez is, again, really, really good. But you've got to give credit to this ball club because they just don't give up. And if you give them a glimpse, if you give them any little bit of hope, they usually break through and come out on top. And, man, 25-3 in baseball? In baseball?

That's ridiculous. 25-3 in their last 28 games at Citizens Bank Park. That's ridiculous. My second big takeaway of the game, and this is a big one, because Nick Castellanos is much maligned. He is someone that is very, he's a lightning rod. You know, people want to talk about Nick Castellanos because he's incredibly frustrating.

But even during the frustrating moments, it is clear how much that team loves Nick Castellanos. And maybe Liam now being off school and back north, maybe he feels a little bit more comfortable or a little bit more settled in. Last two games, six for his last nine. It is a good stretch, and hopefully some signs of light because they need it.

They need it from Nick Castellanos. The outfield production, we have talked about it nauseam. I thought Marsh had a good night tonight, but Castellanos is paid $20 million to be an impact kind of bat. And at least for two games, you are seeing that. He's still super aggressive, but at least he's hitting some doubles. And it's not just weak hits up the middle. Again, I tempt going too far on the there's the Cassianos here comes the

Cassianos run here we go here we go we go because we've seen him kind of have a couple games and then go right back to what he's been a majority of the season but hopefully he's coming alive and maybe tonight just the last two games are a big boost listen I don't think the Cassianos is a is a tool holder I don't think he should have been there, but they didn't really have anyone else that should be in that spot. So maybe getting him bumped back down in the lineup gets him in more of a rhythm

and kind of lets him get going here. But he is our player of the game, sponsored by South Jersey Gas, committed to providing safe, reliable, affordable natural gas. Make the switch at southjerseygas.com slash lovemyhome. If you had told me Nick Castellanos would have a 4-for-5 game at some point this year, I would have said you were crazy.

So baby steps, baby steps by Nick Castellanos. But either way, steps that need to be done. And the final thing that I want to get to before we get to the phones here, again, 215-592-9494 is this bullpen deserves massive credit tonight 43 pitches again our pitch count which is sponsored by the plumbers union local 690 protecting the health of the nation visit plumbers690.org 43 pitches no hits no hits kirkering strom and and Hoffman were sick tonight. That's not even using Sir Anthony.

That's not using Alvarado. I mean, obviously, Kirkering, Strom, Hoffman, three of their best, and they were locked down tonight. Aaron Nola, I thought he really just ran out of gas, as simple as that. I thought, obviously, he was no hit worthy through or in the middle of the fifth. So he just looked like he got a little tired out there. And, you know, it was one of those last year NOLA innings where it wasn't just one run. It was multiple runs.

And he almost couldn't stop the snowball. Now, it didn't snowball too bad. It was only three runs. But still, it wasn't great from Aaron Nola tonight, for sure, but I didn't think it was bad. I thought it was just fine. And, like, you know, the last start against the Red Sox was brutal. Tonight was more back to

mostly with the Nola we've seen so far this year. But that bullpen was just sick. 43 pitches, no hits. And, again, when I hear people talk about they need to get a close, it's a luxury. This bullpen is

really, really good. And I thought that they were unbelievable tonight. Let's go to the phones. Dave is in Maryland. What's happening, Dave? Hey, Jack. What a win. Just the vibes. Castellanos is the biggest vibes guy on the team.

I know people think Garrett Stubbs, but when that guy seems like he's happy, and I think his kid brings him a lot of happiness, and pretty funny that his kid shows up and he starts hitting the ball. You know, he's just a strange character, and, you know, Rest in peace, Willie Mays. Who would have questioned Nick Castellanos on the night Willie Mays died? He's having a great night. Obviously, there's a lot of bits that go on with this team, and that is certainly a big one.

Of course, Willie Mays, the greatest living ball player ever. Unbelievable. big one. Of course, Willie Mays, the greatest living ball player ever. Unbelievable. I'm glad that, well, he was supposed to be on the MLB network on the air, but he's going to get a huge tribute with the Rick Woodfield.

Everything he deserves the next couple days and next couple months with the All-Star game coming up. It'd be a huge bummer with him and Jerry West pretty much in the same week. That's two icons. Yeah. Great win for the Phils.

Let's get a sweep tomorrow with Ranger on the mound and the Padres. The Padres are just a weird team. They seem like they should be so good, but they're just not. Me and Ben Davidson appreciate the phone call. We were texting during the game of like, they have talent.

The Padres have talent. It's just there's something missing. And AJ Preller I don't think totally helps. He has a really good eye for talent. They always have talent in the pipeline, and they're able to ship it off for big, for big time players and big time trades, but there's never cohesiveness with the Padres. But listen,

we'll take it. That's what's in. That's what's in. Two, one, five, five, nine,

two, 94 at 94 to get in a massive, massive comeback. When Cassianos, never a doubt, never a doubt on the other side, we'll get to all your phone calls. Plus something that continues to break our brain with this baseball team

and a guy that even when the chips are down, I still have faith in to come through in a big spot. It's Jack Fritz here on the Final Out on Sports Radio 94 WIB. 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. I don't get it. I don't get it. It's insane. June Schwarber. Literally, it just

fait accompli. Comply whatever. I don't know how to say it. Big words aren't my specialty. But like every June, he's got a better June home run pace than Babe Ruth. He's got the most June home runs. Yeah, the most June home runs in the history of baseball. It's ridiculous. And it just makes no sense.

And it also is just like, imagine if you could just do this all the time. I don't need all the home runs, but be a very consistent player. Because something happens in this month where he just turns into, again, prime bonds. And again tonight, I think it was a nice, we're not dead yet kind of home run. I know the Padres have some flamethrowers in the bullpen. And like we mentioned, Robert Suarez is really, really good. But, you know, Schwarber is the kind of thermostat of this team, as Jalen would say.

And just when he goes on these runs, it's got to be so fun to play behind him because it's like any second the game can kind of just flip on its head. And he's just been really, really good. And also, that swing, he really tried to flatten it out. And he flattened it out. I mean, I'm sure there was just so many Little League coaches just salivating. Like, well, listen, if Schwarber can do it, you can do it, Timmy.

But it was so flat and through the zone. And he just launched it. And it was off flat and through the zone, and he just launched it. And it was off another lefty. Like what he's doing against lefties is ridiculous. Lefty hitters should not be able to hit lefty pitchers with the kind of power that Kyle Schwarber is doing. But the June Schwarber thing, it just continues to break my brain. It doesn't make sense.

To his credit, he's been really good this year, even before June. You know, he didn't have good this year, even before June. He didn't have all the home runs, but you look now, I think he's up to third in the National League in home runs. He's a really good player. He's a damn good leadoff hitter. It's just been so nice that we can kind of put that whole stupid nonsense debate to rest. People are like, whoa, they don't score runs in the first.

The second most runs in the first inning. Baseball. It's working. It's working. And he's spry. He's loose and limber on those base paths. The final out is sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable never looked so good. We'll give you some other thoughts on the lineup in one second, but back to the phones. Kenny in the Dirty 30.

What's happening, Kenny? What a game. What a game. He's coming back now. I got my idiot son and his idiot buddies in the car. And I can't believe that comeback, Jack. I have seen so many losses down there. And they don't have many. But it seems like I keep seeing them. And I still can't.

First off, Schwarber's ball, I don't know if it came down yet. Yeah, it was launched. Where were you at tonight? Were you on first baseline like you usually are? Third baseline. Third baseline. Yeah. And that was awesome. Guys, say hi to Mr. Jack. Hi,? Third baseline. Third baseline. Yeah, and it was awesome.

Guys, say hi to Mr. Jack. Hi, Mr. Jack! Go, man! Aw, man. I mean, Kenny, so, because remind me, Roman's, he's what, 13, 14 now? Yeah, he's going to be 14 soon, yeah. So, like, this is really the,

now they've had, obviously, magical playoff runs the last two years, but it's been a while since we've had a regular season like this. August 4th on last year, it was special, but, I mean, obviously, you're old enough to remember 93. You're old enough to remember 11. I mean, this feels eerily similar to those kind of years. Well, 80. Yeah, well, I'm not old enough for that, Kenny.

Speak to the demographic, buddy. I got it, I got it. This is what is fun, because the past couple years they didn't really get hot to the end of the season. Remember that first year, nobody was going to the games until they made the playoffs, because no one believed it was real. But this year,

it's sold out. The lines, the vibe in the stands, it's just great. And to see these kids just really relishing it, I mean, you'll see this as a kid walking up the shoulder. To see the joy in your kids' eyes at a game just says that that makes it all worth it. And when they're playing well, it's just so much fun. They're into the game.

It was really cool. I mean, just the fans down there have really come around, I mean, you know, from a few years ago. People are just locked in now. It's not something to do anymore. It's actually, they're watching the game and cheering when the umpire blows a third strike call and things like that.

It's great. And a win like that tonight, that's what gets kids to stay in the baseball. Well, I think the best thing that baseball did for the kids and really just the fan experience is, you know, with the pitch clock, it makes you not want to sit on your phone because you feel like you're going to miss something. You know, it keeps you more locked in on everything. But I will say, Kenny, the Phillies almost killed an entire generation of baseball fans from 2012 to 2019. So I'm glad – or 2021, really.

So I'm glad that the kids are alright. The baseball's going to be alive and well for a long time in Philadelphia. Alright guys, say hi and say goodbye to Mr. Jack. Bye Mr. Jack! Alright, safe travels home, Kenny. I'll talk to you soon, pal. 215-592-9494 to get in if you're leaving the ballpark.

Another special night down at CBP. Now one guy that I thought had a good game tonight and needs to get going here because he's too talented of a hitter to be where he is, is Bryson Stott. I mean, 235-ish right now on the average. But the funny part about Stott is, you know, I feel like sometimes you can feel a player's struggles. When Gastelanos is going through it, I feel like it's every single pitch.

I'm yelling at the TV. You can feel when guys are going through slumps. And yes, Stott has gone through a slump. There's been frustrating moments. The Orioles series was pretty brutal from that standpoint. But I still trust him in big moments. And he had that hit tonight. Great to see.

Hopefully that kind of gets his confidence going a little bit. Because Cronenworth robbed him earlier of a base hit. He did smoke a ball up the middle and then he got that hit. So it was good to see. But I feel of gets his confidence going a little bit because Cronenworth robbed him earlier of base hit. He did smoke a ball up the middle and then he got that hit, so it was good to see. But I still, in big moments when I feel like this team needs a hit, I think he's still top three for me

of guys that are like, alright, I trust Scott to come through no matter what his average is. Now, it has to get up. Given that he's not a huge power hitter, I would like between 260 and 280 with a 750-plus OPS. But at least in the big moments, I still trust him. And hopefully that hit in the ninth kind of jumpstarts him a little bit

and gets him back to being the Bryson Stott that I think we all think that he is capable of. Now, I'm going to go to Hoagie in Bryn Mawr. I'm assuming it's not his real name, but I'm intrigued by the call. Hoagie, what's going on, pal? Hey, Jack. How are you doing, buddy? I'm doing great, man. How are you? Yeah, my nickname is Hoagie. I play drums in Philly, and everybody calls me Hoagie. It's a great nickname, Hoagie. It's a great nickname. Yeah, right on, man.

Thanks. But, hey, I'm a schoolteacher also, and this is now my first week of not teaching school every day, and so baseball time. And what a great game for my first game of the year. I got to see a shore bomb wow i put i'm still wearing my rally cap i'm on the table of art by now and i still have my rally cap on that i put on in the eighth inning and that was a question i have for you jack is how old is too old to put on to wear a rally cap oh Oh, I'm pro rally. There's nothing that brings a smile to my face like a guy in their 60s and 70s that's still putting their rally cap on.

I love it. So I think there's no age limit on that. Now, a baseball glove at the games, there's probably an age limit of like 14 maybe. Right on. Right on. Yeah, we were sitting down low. We were like 127, maybe? Right on. We were sitting down low. We were like 127, maybe 27th row.

Great seats tonight. Eighth inning, I was like, I've got to put the rally cap on. I remember 80 very well because I am 60. I was a junior in high school. That's what this feels like, is 80.

Wow. And listen, I appreciate the phone call, Hoagie. Obviously, that team was fantastic. This team is fantastic. I just, every game and all the magic and the walk-offs and the crowds and the trade deadline looming where we know that they're going to be in the mix for some big players. They just got to get it done. They got to get it done.

They have to. They have to get it done. Man, it's awesome. It's awesome. It's awesome. But it is just so imperative for them to get it done because this team deserves it. This city deserves it.

Bryce deserves it. Middleton deserves it. This city deserves it. Bryce deserves it. Middleton deserves it. We all deserve it. But it would create, I think, just an – obviously winning a championship creates an unbelievable memory for everyone. It's just there's something about this baseball team that connects so well with us. And they just got to get it done.

Speaking of stats that break my brain and this is courtesy of of philly's reddit and a guy named skywalker kid nine and it is it's hilarious so this is heading into the game tonight he noticed how well bone because obviously the one of the storylines this year is is how close Boehm and Marsh are. Obviously, they're roommates. I don't think a lot of people knew that before that Sunday Night Baseball interview where they're talking about hirachis.

They have, obviously, a pretty special bond. So Alec Boehm, in 54 games with Brandon Marsh this season, is hitting.330 with a.385 on-base percentage and a.502 slugging percentage,.888 OPS. In 16 games without Brandon Marsh in the lineup, he's hitting.239 with a.278 OBP and a.726 OPS. So, like, that's a... We need, listen, we need Marjan to line up. I know he's slugging negative 100 against lefties,

and it's definitely a problem, but if it also gets Alec Bone to be the best, you know, the best four-hole hitter for this team, at least until the trade deadline, you take that trade off every single day of the week. So I thought that stat was awesome. 215-592-9494 to get in. Don't go anywhere. We'll get to your

phone calls, but also the play of the game. Gee, wonder what that'll be and a look ahead to tomorrow. All that's coming up next here on the Final Out on Sports Radio 94 WIB. Welcome back. It is the Final Out. That is our play of the game sponsored by Mike's Amazing, the official mayo and mustard of the Phillies.

Yes, Robert Suarez officially entering into Broxton territory. Entering in to the old Broxton territory. Welcome back. It is the final out. Sponsored by Regency Furniture. Affordable never looked so good. looked so good. Yeah, so again, like this team, 25-3 in the last 28 games down at Citizens Bank Park. Castellanos coming alive. Bullpen shut down.

Aaron Nola didn't think he was bad tonight. He wasn't great. But again, like the guy coming up next, Tom Kelly is going to mention, for their fourth starter, I guess it's a pretty good performance. But, yeah, it was more of the Nola we've seen a majority of the season than the Red Sox start, and I think we can just chalk that up to,

like, frankly, for all-star voting, they should just take out the Red Sox start. It shouldn't count. They had to go to London. They had to go straight to Boston. Nola hadn't pitched in like eight days. He got out of rhythm. And he got shelved. So I hope the All-Star voters do their homework when it comes to that

because I need as many Phillies All-Stars as we can. And by the way, I mean, Cassiano's heating up for the All-Star vote. Who knows? Maybe we can get them all. Maybe Johan Rojas in AAA. He'll be able to be in Arlington for the All-Star game. No, it's all great right now. It's good to see

them tough road trip, on the road a lot, come back home, and largely take care of business. It took a little longer tonight for them to show up, but still, they did because the team just does not quake. Greg's in Philly. What's happening, Greg? Hey! Jackie Baseball.

What's going on, buddy? What's going on, man? How are you? Dude, good to talk to you, man. And I listen to the Rooster show every day on the afternoon show. Thank you, man. Appreciate it. Thank you.

Tell Spike to lighten up on you, dude. Yeah, dude. He's kind of a bully. You know what I mean? He's kind of a bully. No, I'm just kidding. We're having fun. I appreciate it, though. Yeah, he's kind of a bully. You know what I mean? He's kind of a bully. No, I'm just kidding. We're having fun. I appreciate it, though. Hey, man, I'm just coming from the game, and it was

a great Tuesday night Phillies baseball game like Hoagie. I'm also a school teacher, so this is my first week of freedom. It was a great night to get out to the ballpark. You know, we watched them trail for a couple innings, and then Schwarber just hit that bomb and it just totally shifted the momentum of the game, man.

Yeah, where were you? What was your vantage point? Where were you sitting tonight? I actually had some standing room seats. I was right behind the Phillies dugout tonight. It was a great view of everything. I mean, I bet the vantage point of that for the Schwarber home run must have been pretty nuts.

Oh, my God. And then finally see the bell ring after all those innings, you know what I mean? Oh, my God. Fantastic. And then, you know, you go up, Turner comes up, and then finally Castellanos for the win. It was fantastic. I know, you know, we always say that, you know, Bryce is like the biggest leader on the team. He's the best player.

But I know that Castellanos can be frustrating, but he's still our most consistent hitter on the team. Absolutely. I appreciate the phone call, Greg. I don't totally agree. I think Castellanos is really, really important to this team. I just do. And I know that whenever he has a little bit of

struggles, well, this season has been, I guess, a little bit more than a little bit of struggles, but still, whenever he's going through like a prime Castellanos slump, I think people start freaking out a little bit, you know, too much. Like he is a really important piece for this baseball team. And those guys clearly love him. They rally around him. He has fun with them. I think they view him as an elder statesman to where he's one of the leaders. I think there's a lot of leaders in this team.

I think Schwarber is like the Kelsey of the team where he kind of has his finger on the pulse of of everything and obviously when he i think that's part of the value of him as a leadoff hitter is like one of their leaders is the you know leadoff hitter and he can hit a ball 700 feet and and kind of ease everyone into a ball game but i think he's a leader i think cassiano's the leader jt's sort of like utley and and a little i i didn't get to watch dutch every day obviously but a lot of the 93 guys say compares the dutch so i guess i'll take their word for it and bryce you know bryce when you're i think he's he is one of the leaders on this team but i think that you know he also is the you know i think i think he is the star that everyone looks at. He's got that aura around him where it's like he's got us.

And I think it was interesting as he was hustling to beat out a double play. It kind of reminded me, what was it, about a month ago? All day on WIP, we were talking about Bryce's body language. And he looks upset and he's not smiling. He's not hustling all the time. I mean, I feel like ever since that day, and we know he's a listener, we've seen a different Bryce Harper and, you know, the teams have been on a pretty good run since that point. So I think he is the guy everyone looks at of like, are we all right here and and when when

he's doing his thing you know the the rest of the team just kind of follows behind him so again they're they're a special clubhouse and then you have guys like stubs who who matter a ton from keeping the locker room loose for 162 i know that people are all marsh and up, and I like Rafael Marchand, but I think Gareth Stubbs, again, what he brings to the clubhouse, and he did have a nice strike him out, throw him out tonight, which is good to see, but what he brings from the clubhouse standpoint is invaluable, and when you play as little as a backup catcher does, do you want to go for a marginal upgrade with Rafael Marchand, or do you want to have someone that just means a lot to that locker room?

So, yeah, it's a special group, and it's good to see them just continuing to fight and keep stacking wins because they need to stack wins because Brian Snicker is not conceding the division. Tomorrow, Matt Waldron on the mound versus Ranger Suarez. Obviously, Ranger, ERA still in the 1.7s. And given Wheeler's last start, should probably be in line to start the All-Star game, which is insane.

Ranger Suarez, an All-Star game starter? I didn't have that on my bingo card heading into the season. So what a year for Ranger. Super happy for him. Matt Waldron, if you're not familiar with his work, he's a primary knuckleball pitcher.

You don't really see many knuckleballers anymore. Now it's a harder knuckleball. I think you can throw it like 80 miles an hour, which you don't traditionally see. Still, it's going to be fun seeing a knuckleball tomorrow in a little getaway day spot. So either way, game is at 105.

If you missed it, going to, I guess, do some Eagles chants tomorrow. Just letting you know. I am not happy about it. I'm doing it pretty much kicking and screaming. And we'll see how it goes. So if you're listening to the ballgame tomorrow and you hear Eagle Shantz, just know I don't want to do him, but it's my punishment for saying I was going to quit the show

if they cheered Reese Hoskins hitting a home run against the Phillies. And that just is what it is. So I'm going to grit my teeth and get through it. But I'm definitely not happy about it. And don't let it change your opinion of me. But either way, that's going to do it for the final out tonight. Ben Kenney produced the program. Tom Kelly, TK.

He will take you through the rest of the night here on Sports Radio 94.