High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Has Donnie Baseball Saved The Season?

Episode Date: May 1, 2026

The Philadelphia Phillies are 3-0 under interim manager Don Mattingly. James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the sweep of the Giants and everything that went down during yesterday's doubleheader. 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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Philadelphia, celebrate responsibly. I finally got to do a yo, Fritzy. A 12 and 19 yo never felt so good, buddy. How bad? Real quick, can we just off the top? We've talked about this so many times. This team's commitment to be. Bits is unparalleled.

Topper gets fired. Win and streak. Let's do it, boys. This team is so funny. They are so ridiculous with the bits. How you doing, pal? 12 and 19. They ever felt so good, pal.

12 and 19. And now we can finally laugh at the Mets a little bit. We can finally laugh at them. Batting M.J. Melendez third yesterday. I know he did home run. I don't care. He's $380, $100 million favor.

Whatever. Yeah, 12 and 19, the longest April of our lives. Oh, my God, dude. Oh, my God. It's been a long April. It's been a long freaking April. And it is finally, dude, I felt like we've gone through it half a season. I feel, dude, I feel the same way.

I almost like, I had a moment yesterday where they were there, you know, when they won the second game, I'm sitting there, I'm like, oh, yeah, we've only played, you know, 29 games this year, or 31 games, or like, we are so early in the season. It felt hopeless. It felt so hopeless. It was like, well, this is, this is our lot for the year. This is it. And I'm starting to be like, okay, step back a little bit, big dog, you know.

Yeah, maybe tone it down. Just a little, just a little tone. So obviously, very glad they swept. I think we're starting to see some good things. You appreciate it. Double walk off, baby. Let's go first time in 28 years. Well, not only was it a double walkoff.

It was a double walk off with wins by the same pitcher in both games. First time that's happening since like 2002 or something. I like Chase Sugar a little bit, by the way. I actually think it was 1962. Was it 62? So I think it's the first time since 1962 that you've had the same winning pitcher in both games and they both ended in a walkoff. Oh, okay.

Okay, so that's what it is. It was since 2002 was the same winning pitcher in both games. So, wow, 62. Honestly, I'm surprised it's ever happened. Like, if you had said to me, yesterday was the first time the Phillies I've ever won both games of a double out of a walkoff and had the same winning pitcher. I'd be like, yeah, of course.

Why would that happen before? Well, no, that was all of baseball, by the way. It wasn't just Phillies. Oh, okay. So that makes sense. Yeah, that makes sense. Because that seems so nonsensical. I mean, how many times have we joked about the Phillies just never win doubleheaders, period?

Much less on walkoffs. Like, I don't remember last time the Phillies swept the double header, it feels like, you know? Yeah. And I think the last time they won a double header on both walkoffs is 98. And I think Rowling was a part of it or something like that. I think it was actually, it was 28 years ago. So whatever that year is, it was 20.

So yeah, 98. Yeah. 28 years ago is what I saw. So there you go. Yeah. I mean, this is. Also another fun when you see that, if you want to talk baseball,

you see the Carl Crawford thing too? Yes. In 2012, Carl Crawford wins a Dodgers game with a walk-off hit. His manager Don Mattingly. The Crawford kids and Mattingley, how about it?

Yeah, right after he was an utter disaster with the Red Sox, the Dodgers. Remember that trade? It was like, Oh my God. They dumped him. They fucking dumped him.

Adrian Gonzalez, him. It was unbelievable. It was crazy. Was Beckett in that deal too? I think so. I mean, definitely went to the Dodgers around then. I think so. One of the lowest points of my Phillies fandom ever was watching this team get no hit by

Josh Beckett. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, buddy. That was a real. Well, not as bad as losing to the University of Tampa in spring. Oh, yeah. Remember that? Yeah.

But getting no hit by Josh Beckett was a good one. So, yeah, obviously, they're 19 or the 12 and 19. There is much work to do. very glad that maybe they are stabilizing a little bit and we can win more series and, and their face can. And the season's not over in April. Like, that would be really cool that this season wasn't over in April.

I would, I would appreciate it. You know, it's crazy. The COVID season felt so much longer than just 60 games. I know. This month of April felt like the COVID season. You're not wrong, dude.

You are not wrong. They packed a season's worth of pain into the 2020, uh, 2020 season with the COVID. So there's, there's some good things happening. but at the same time they had to come back and have some heroics

to beat a giant team that I just don't think is that good horrible baseball team and Tony V totally bailed him out yesterday pitching to Schwerver and you could even make the case pitching to Bome you had a lefty up Sure Pitching the Schorber was one of the crazier moves I've seen a manager make in a while

with first base up like I was like what is happening right now? Do you understand the situation that this game is in right now It was crazy. First base open with a lefty. It was crazy. It was an insane. It was an absolutely assinine managerial decision.

Like it was crazy. And he has felt in over his head this whole time. Even the beginning of the year where he was treating the first loss. Like these guys are too emotional in there. I got to go fire him off. It's like, oh my God. Would you take it down a notch? You got 161 left.

So maybe Tony Vee a little bit in over his head. And certainly yesterday he gave him one, the third base coach, not holding or the third-page coach holding Logan Gilbert and on that ball at the middle that stopped like knocked down. Yeah. He would, he would a, he would a cake walked home. He could have literally walked home. Yeah. So just, you know, Ryan Walker throwing a three two meatball and stodder in game one and having a ribid down. Ryan Walker blow in that game one was one of the more shocking things that happened all series. I do feel like they never hit the hit ever. I feel like they've never hit Ryan Walker. I was sure

that game was over. Yeah, me too. So you give them credit bouncing back and writing the ship and actually taking a sweep and winning a bullpen game, which I feel like they've also never done as they want a traditional normal bullpen game. So that's good. They are entering into the easier part of their schedule. That's good. But I don't have this overwhelming sense of there they are. I still don't have that. I think the starting staff I feel better about, you know, Sanchez and Lazzardo doing what they did.

The single biggest player thing that happened over this series was Lazard. 100%. 100%. Well, I mean, do you know that Schwerber? So Schwerber raised his career war 3% yesterday. What? In one day, he raised his career war by like from 20. I mean, I know he had the four hits and then the Homer in the first game.

But really, that alone. He went from 22.2 or something to 22.8. That is insane. in one day. That's insane. That's actually like almost impossible to believe. I don't I don't get war and how it's calculated, but that like from what I understand of how it's calculated, that seems incredibly hard to do.

It is. He was really impressive yesterday. So, but yeah, no, Lazzardo Sanchez. I actually think the, actually in the bullpen is starting to stabilize. It seems like it is calming down and then maybe find some rolls. Bolins back. Like they're starting to get some guys back, which helps to. What a bad luck bowling outing to.

Oh, I know. It just turned into a hurricane when he's on the mouth. And then they kept him out there too. It was like, I couldn't believe how long it took the ups to finally call it. It's like they kept showing the shots of the crowd. Everyone's out of the stands. It's like pouring down the one guy's got his like, you know, his raincoat like flying in the air. And I'm like, what are we doing here?

Just get off the field. What's happening? Well, once again, was he waiting for the race to tie the game up and then call it? Is that what Buzz Sealing? Did Buzz Sealing make a call? And let BJ up and steal second base because no one can move? It's crazy. I mean, come on. Investigate it.

But the bullpen's an interesting spot because I do think they've kind of stabilized a little bit. Ron should be back. Pretty good Keller outing. It was disappointing. He hit the bat. Casey Schmidt in his last thing. Alvarado is still a big old question mark. No, no, no, no, no, no.

Alvarado is a can't trust. And if he can bring a, but he's not a question mark right now. You cannot trust Albrado right now. The issue is now that Bacchus is on the I.L. I know. I mean, Topper's last gift to us was pitching him five out of seven days and then needing to go on the IL with an injury. So, so, you know, Back is now being down who was actually pitching really, was pitching really well for you. Obviously, Mays had become really important.

And I tell you what, I mean, Schubert's pitching his way into like the Banks roll from last year. I really like, I like Schuart. Yeah. Like, he's got stuff. You know, it pops a bit, you know? Like I, I meant to say this to a couple pods ago. and I forgot because we kind of got, you know, we did our thing and was off track.

But I almost texted you in the moment the first time Chase Shugart pitch for the Phillies. I was like, this guy got something. Who is this guy? I've been impressed with Shugart. Yeah, I think the nice part about him is he seems like he's going to come in and throw strikes. Doesn't seem afraid at the moment.

I like a sweeper a little bit. And then by the way, it's 96 with sync, you know, so it's very modern baseball where you think the guy is not like a super hard thrower and then it's 97. And you're like, ah,

And the fact that he's able to take the ball twice in a day. No, totally. You don't, a lot of believers don't, you know. No. And by the way, the stuff looked the exact same, which I thought was exactly the same was really good as well. So, and the one part that I actually love the most is if you, after the walk off, they're all out there celebrating. And I think it was Bryce and maybe Schwerber or maybe, uh, there's Mark. You put them at the front of the line or whatever?

No, they just went out. I do like when they do that, when they grab like the young kid and be like you're in front. on, yeah. Yeah, no, but after these celebrations winding down, Bryson, I think Marsh, we're, like, hyping him up, like, about how, like, you did that, like, you, like, thanks for taking the ball. And that's the kind of stuff, you know, one of the things that I've liked about what Maddingley has done so far, or at least, I think there's a lot of good that he's

done, but the, but the messaging that he's had where, I guess JT said his messaging was take this personal and, and come together as a team. Like, that kind of stuff, like, maybe he felt as if the team was, more out for themselves to begin the year. And the biggest thing that they need to do if they want to go on a run here is kind of come together. Yeah, I think it's a great point. I mean, we've seen that so many times. Like, it matters.

Chemistry matters. Like, playing together matters. Playing for each other matters. Yeah. Well, especially acknowledging the like 26th guy on the roster who helped you win a ballgame. I mean, that's little things that I do think can go a long way towards, towards dragging themselves out of the hole that they have done themselves. I can't believe they're 12 and 19.

I know. So I feel exactly the same way as you. Honestly, you could, I don't even need to say much. I'm in the exact same spot. I thought it was awesome to see them respond a little bit after Topper gets fired to see them, you know, to what you just said, seem like they took it personally a little bit to see them fighting those games. But you step back and you say, you know, they squeaked by a bad Giants team.

And I just, I don't know that at any point this season, they're going to have the horses from an offensive perspective to really get to where we want them to be. But I do think that I felt going into this weekend, even with the firing of Topper, and even with it being April, which is so unlike me. Again, you know, I won't even look at spring training. You know, I really don't try and overreact to our season. But I really went into that series being like, this is a lost season. You know, I don't think this is 2022.

I don't think just firing the manager and all of a sudden, you know, we talked about this. In 2022, it felt like you already had to go. They hated having him as their manager that didn't feel that way at all with Topper. It felt like that it wasn't Topper's fault. If nothing else, it seems like a kick in the ass did something this weekend. So it feels like I've gone from season over to we still have a season, even if I wouldn't bet on them to make the playoffs yet or anything like that. Yeah, I think I'm in the mindset of just find a way to make the playoffs.

I think that that's more where I'm at. And I have started looking at historical examples of trying to find a way to make myself, trick myself, I guess, into believing that this could be a World Series name. And the one that I keep coming back to, because I just don't get it. I just don't get it. Like, how in the world were the 2019 nationals 19 and 31 in May? Oh, it's unbelievable. I mean, one of the more talented teams of the last 20 years, you know?

Yeah. They had peak of his power, Scherzer, peak of his power, Strasbourg. They had Corbin who was really good that year. They had veterans up and down the roster. You know, it was, it was, they had, uh, you know, Trey was in a peak of his powers. Rendon was peak of his powers.

Totally. They had, Toto as a rookie night, well, second year. He came up 18. He came at 18. Wow. I assumed he just came in 19. Wow.

Yeah. Yeah. So he was 19 in, in 2019 and maybe 20 by the end of the season. Who cares? But it was the second year and he was, you know, Juan Soto. Like that team. team. Nonsense.

So I'd love to say, hey, maybe this could be our Nats run. But at the same time, that's just a different level of roster compared to where this team is at right now, in my opinion. I agree. So, yeah, again, I don't think, I guess I'd be surprised if there's like a huge big old tailspin. They're a 70 to 75 win ball club. And this is kind of who they are. you know, I think they showed some fight. They showed some, there are some signs of life.

And I think the pitching staff getting on track is the most important thing for them to, to, you know, drag themselves out of this thing. But I certainly am not in the mind, like the super mindset of here's the run, here we go. Like, we're back in this thing. They still have a lot of work to do for me to get there. Yeah, same exact page. Let's get to some of the stuff we saw from the series before looking ahead. Lozardo, we mentioned him.

I think, yeah, I said I think it's the most encouraging thing from the series. Seven shut out was just, was awesome, looked awesome. Now, I think you step back and say he's had two great outings this year was against the Rockies and the Giants, you know, so, you know, that you do have to take that into account. Hey, Ontario, come on down to BetmGM Casino and see what our newest exclusive the Price is Right Fortune Pick has to offer. Don't miss out.

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Where you at with Lazzardo and what you saw from him against the Giants, but also what you're expecting moving forward. And we talked about this. It maybe is this, you know, where you see the flashes and he kind of just can't put it all together for the year. but I thought that was a real heartening performance. Yeah, I mean, for him, it really just comes down to being able to command his pitches.

If his commands off, it's going to be a lot more like we've seen this year where it's four or five innings. He's all over the place. He's at 100 pitches. He's, you know, the home run stuff has been a tad annoying this year. But if the command's not there, it's going to be how it was for a majority this year. If the command's there, it's going to be like it was on Tuesday. So maybe he found something with his command.

I thought the biggest pitch for him on Tuesday was his changeup. Like, I think having the feel for the changeup got hitters off his fastball and he was able to rush it in on guys. And when he can rush that fastball in, it's just not as, it's not as hitable. And I think having good command of that change up, good feel for it. It actually being a weapon for him really just let both the sweeper and the fastball to be that much more effective of pitches. Also the big thing, and he did this at times last year. I think the wrong version of Lazzardo was where he's hunting strikeouts. He can strike people out with his stuff.

But when he's at his best, it is ground ball outs, just ground ball out, ground ball. I mean, a couple of what, six pitch inning? The other night, quick innings. If you can get quick innings and. Yeah, he was only at like, he was low, even when they took him out, he was pretty low pitch, Cali. He could have kept going. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Aggressive Donnie early with some of this. I know, same as Sanji. I want to get to Sanji in a sec, but, I mean, I thought, I actually thought that the Sanji, the rap, the rapper. round inning with Kirkring might have been Manningley's worst managerial move of the weekend. I was fine with him bringing Kirkring into that spot to get out of that inning. I probably would have let Sanchez stay in. But to wrap him,

I mean, how many times we have to see this? Like, what are we doing? And it worked out. He didn't get screwed by it. But like, I just,

that concerned me, that specific decision to take Sanchez out, well, like 85 pitches or whatever to go. I'm fine with getting out of that inning and getting out of the seventh there. But man, to bring Kirkring back out, I know it worked.

I just, I don't like that philosophically moving, world. Yeah, but here's the difference. When Rob Thompson does it, it's not going to work. I know for some reason when Maddley did it. When Don Mattingly does it, it 100% works. When, when, when, if Rob Thompson called for the hit and run with Doleys, uh, oh, God, I know. And how about the Stott bunt works too and extras? Like, I got no problem. Like perfect, perfect bun down the third base line. Boom. That worked. I know. It's so funny. We might have, we might have had to sacrifice Rob's job to. I know.

Philly sports period. The freaking flyers are. Sixers two since Topper got fired. It's like, have you ever seen a Sixers basketball team play like that? No, I did was the best game since Iverson. That was the best game the Sixers played since, that was the fourth quarter in the fourth quarter of game five.

I've never seen them do that. No, no, M.B was in the paint all of the half. It was unbelievable. Yeah. Exciting. I'm excited. It's been tough because I've been watching the Phillies and I have them in the corner

and then I get a post game of the Phillies. So like I've been half in half out. Yeah. It's, hey, this is what they pay me the big bucks for. That's right. Yeah, you know, that's right. Big, boy, do we get big bucks? I didn't know that.

I thought this was a love of the game type of thing, Jack. That's what I've been sold, you know? This is, you know, we're talking to microphones because we love sports and then not for the money, my friend. Experience. Or if it is for the money, can someone let me know? Please, that be sweet. Thanks, yeah. The experienced sports watchers.

That's what we are. A lot of our lives spent in front of a television and then talking about it. No. Oh, so, so yeah, so like the Don Maddenly touched on some of these things. I feel like if Rob Thompson's the manager, Stott rips on right, second base, of course, he gets dumped off. Yeah, so, yeah, so Lazzardo, I just think it came down to the changeup was really good, sweeper was really good, but I think because he was able to locate the changeup,

everything else just got amplified. And it really comes out of command. I also don't want him to hunt strikeouts too much, or they can get strikeouts without even trying sometimes, you know, his stuff is so good. I want him to pitch. I want him to pitch. And I think that that is what led to him. That's when he's at his best.

That's what led to his breakout last year. All right. Sanchi, the other one to talk about. And it's been kind of a weird year where, like, he hasn't been bad. He's been their best pitcher. You know, he has, you know, I think he's ARAs under three and all that. Like, he's been solid. But he has not been the guy we saw last year.

He just hasn't, especially the hits. You know, he's just giving up a lot of hits, a lot of contact. Where you had on Sanchi and how he's looked? Well, yesterday was really the first. Yesterday was better. It was really the two-star. starts prior with like 12 and 11 hits or whatever. He was better yesterday, but still six and two thirds, two runs, like, was it three walks.

Like, he wasn't, he wasn't as Sanchez as he normally is and hasn't. No, I agree. I think he's allowed the most hits in the National League. I think, I think, I know he had going in, I don't know if yesterday or whatever, if there's another pitcher changed it, but I know he had going into yesterday. Yeah. And with him, it was really that, by the way, how often have you seen back-to-back doubles and they don't score?

I don't know, speaking of things. Insane. It's almost never is what. Almost never. Yeah. So that was interesting. Yeah, I, I, it hasn't looked the same. My biggest fear is that the tweaking with a slider has caused a change to be less effective.

But I thought yesterday, he did at least in the middle of the game look like Sanchez. He got into that rhythm in the middle of the game where it was like, all right, there it is. And I did like that he was up to 96. Me too. I thought that was a good sign. It was noticeable to was. And he, he did dot a couple of them. to get strikeouts, which that was important.

So I think he's close. I leave that start saying I think he's close. And I do, because I don't think he threw a slider that much yesterday. And I, and I do wonder if they're going back to, hey, let's just get back to our bread and butter, fastball changeup. And the slider is what it is. We don't need that to be a plus pitch, plus pitch. Yeah. If it costs us the effectiveness of the fastball changeup combo, because that's good enough.

And obviously you won as many pitches as possible, especially in Majorly Baseball today. But I don't know, man, he's gotten pretty good with just two pitches that are plus plus. So I got to look at the usage rates on it. But watching the game yesterday, it didn't feel like he was as slider heavy as he has been in his previous outings. And maybe that's something that kind of gets his command and a feel back. All right. I want to talk about two guys. And then you can address any others you want to take back.

But two specifically, guys have talked about it. talked a lot about who had good series. And look, not much has changed in my mind since the last time we talked. But look, Trey at his best game of the year and then homered the next day. Like I think Trey got going a little bit in this series. Yeah.

And look, Alec Bohm, you know, not much yet going, but did have the doubles, you know, had the walk off sack fly, you know,

maybe for the first, yesterday was the first time all season. Boom had a day to be happy about. Anything to build on with those two guys in your mind or is it just a, a one series type of thing. So real quick, he used a slider 14% of the time yesterday, which is down from 20%. I mean, that's a noticeable amount.

Yeah. So once again, the eye test. The Fritz eye, baby. Fritz eye. Who needs, who needs Sivant? So, so boom. No, I don't know. That's what I was expecting.

I just had to set it up. I was glad that he lifted the ball. I guess with a sack fly situation, he could still do it. Yay! Good job. Yay. shallow-ish fly ball to center that was deep enough.

Good job. Dude, so I was going to say this for the take bag. I have never seen something that I thought was so dumb that ended up being as smart as the Drew Gilbert play on that. Did you notice what he did? Oh, the way he caught the ball you're talking about. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Do you know why he did it? So I, not exactly.

So the reason why he did it, he led travel as long as possible to see. I assumed it was, I assumed there was a reason for it and it had something to do with trying to get the runner at home. But anyway, go ahead. So my, my first thought was, did he go. that low because it helps him like recoil and he could like throw it as that I assume had something to do with the throw it's not that is he trying to get someone to leave before he catches it yeah ah it's interesting so try to get and fake him out a little bit go lower and then they that's fascinating it's actually a smart move well especially in that spot because like you could have the best arm in the world and you're

not going to get someone in that spot like the run is scoring it's i'm almost surprised they were even that deep playing that deep you know what i mean so that that's a really fascinating really interesting thing to do. Yeah, that's a little, I like it. I've never, it's very rare you see something in a baseball game that you've never seen before. Yeah, totally. And that's like next, that's like next level thinking. So I just like the idea. I like any players who do things like that because it makes you believe that they're looking for any little thing they can get to get an advantage. And that's what you always want. I'm a pretty big Drew Gilbert guy. Yeah, I like him. I like him a lot. He's got great story the whole thing. I'm with you. Yeah. I think he's a good little player. So he's actually

I hope Dante Noria is in a way. So, so, Bome, not really. I will say the biggest and smartest thing that Bome did was the arise play

defensively. And I think he said after the game, he tricked him into doing that. Like he had not, I know, he had not been playing that far off the bag, but he did there because he knew that that's something that he likes to do. So it was right,

right place, right time. What? Alec Bome, like using his brain, make him play? is what? Well, especially because I think one of the things that has been wrong is there metrics of where

to position guys this year. Gabe Kapler style, huh? Dude, I was thinking about that this whole time where Gabe halfway through the year realized we were using the wrong numbers. Unbelievable. It was one of the all time, like we didn't make a big enough deal about how absurd that was type of moment. Yeah, yeah.

So I was more impressed with the Bome's defense than anything. And then, uh, uh, Trey. Yeah, at least you're starting to hit the ball. a heart a little bit. It's not all just infield singles. I'm still surprised. The double play was horrendous. Awful.

Awful. Just awful. I don't know how he doesn't have a bunt in his bag. It's crazy. He absolutely should have a bun in his bag. He hasn't bunted since 2018. No way. Is that that that's fact.

Like really? Wow. Yes. That's astonishing. It's crazy. And I know, listen, I'm not like the biggest bun guy in the world. No, no. But in that scenario, you,

I just would have liked to move runners along. I'm with you. I'm with you. And also just period when you're that fast. Like, you should have a bun. Like, you should be able to be like, oh, they're playing a little deep on me. I can get a bump down and get a hit. You know what I mean?

Like, you should have that in your bag. If nothing else, it should just be a tool that you can use. Yeah. But I thought, Trey looked good. And they obviously need him to get going. And he raised average like 260. You know, he had what, a four hit game to start. Four hit game.

Yep. Four hit game. Yeah, and then the homer, which is good. So, no, I think, I think Trey signs of life. And the one that I, I'm getting ready to just defend it all costs. Like, I'm, I'm going to be a stand for is Adolese. I freaking love that guy. Yeah, he's awesome.

And I thought that one was going to get out at the end. It was at the 90 or whatever. Yeah, so did he. So I love Adolis, like, already. And I think, by the way, their new celebration is him DJing, which I'm very in on. Phenomenal. his his read for i think i got that one oh i know and where the ball ends up this year hasn't totally synced up you no no he's really got a lot of confidence they're going out and then they're

like barely get over the wall that's my point yes now yesterday was was wind blown more than anything so it was good to see him pull it like that you know like we've talked about that yeah he's been doing it more that's the point and then that's when you know if he can get comfortable and really start pulling some i mean he does have it the power. And if nothing else to your point, I mean, he, he brings an energy and an excitement and just a guy who just seems happy to be out there in that they don't have a lot of. You know, we've talked about with so-since-up, but it's something that this team has lacked. I think that if nothing else from that perspective, he has brought something to this group. And I think that

he's not only going to get more and more comfortable as the summer goes on. And obviously, not a huge fan of the cold. And I think as a summer, you can tell my man bundles. Yeah, he's going to, it's going to warm up and maybe the heat warms up. But I thought, so, you know, early in the season, he was ripping the baseball, but he was right at people. And then he got super cold. And he was starting to get, you know, pitchers were getting in his kitchen with fastballs all day long.

They made the adjustment. We'll give some credit to Kevin Long. He opened up his stance a little bit. It allowed him to get to fast balls in. And since that point, he has been pulling the ball way more. But I thought it was interesting yesterday is he did a really good job of staying up the middle. I mean, he blasted one off Logan Webb's.

legs and their leg and then in the ninth hit one right up the middle off of Ryan Walker to kind of start that rally. That was even before almost hitting a home run and stuff like that. So I just think he's starting to round into form. And obviously what he brings defensively is such a treat. Him throwing the baseball. He is so much fun with that. It's so much fun.

And so if you want to talk about things to, how do you feel like maybe they can pull themselves out of this even more? starting staff looking good. I think the bullpen is is settling in. Rounding into form. Just a little bit. De Ron coming back soon. It seems like JT coming back soon.

It seems like if Adolese and dude, Marshes might be real. Like he... First right-in pitching, he's absolutely real. Like, he's just a good hitter against Ray and pitching. Like, it is what it is. But he is, I'm with you, dude. I am confident every time he steps up to play against right-hitting hitter.

I'm just confident. I believe in the guy. And starting that ending off last night with the double off the bench was awesome. Probably sure. I was kind of, because I was driving. I was doing the show when the lineup came out. And I wasn't like, I wasn't thinking, I guess, per usual. Because again, I do think I've gotten progressively dumber since having kids.

So it happens. Nothing up here is, you know, connecting. But like Adrian Hauser's on the mound. Oh, dude. It's like, why are you not, why is Marsh not in the lineup? Totally. Honestly, honestly, he might be the, if you could take all the starters, they have faced all year long and say, who is the one you most want to have Brandon Marshall, the line against? It might be Adrian Houser. Like, that guy is a classic right. He gets crushed by lefties guy. It was weird. So, so. And also bad, too. Yeah. Yeah. Well, they made him look better than he was for a majority of that game. I know. Yeah. We came in with like a 70 R.A. So, yeah. So, no, but Marsh is just, Mars is just solid, man. So I agree. If it don't.

can get going here and he has been he's been solid for i mean i think he has 12 walks already at 28 all of last year so which is crazy yeah it's insane yeah he played the game he's dropped his i think he's dropped his chase rate from like 36% to 30 he's dropped his uh strikeout rate from 54 to 45 so things are moving the right direction with the doleys so if those two can kind of uh you know be real real pieces in the middle of the lineup. It really comes down to if Stott and Bome have anything.

Because Crawford do you feel fine about? You know, seven. He's fine. He's a rookie. He's fine. The Crawford people do drive me nuts already, but I'm not letting it affect my view of Justin Crawford. I'm not doing it. You should not be hitting lead off. Just

let him play. Let him bat ninth. He went through a 5 for 38 streak before these last two games. Let's just let's just let him play. So, and then when JT comes back, like JT, to his credit, was hitting like 270 something when he got on the aisle. But still, yeah. He's that OBP was high.

Yeah. So it's those two. If those two can. As same as it ever was, buddy. It's unbelievable. I know. So we're sadly. So back and look, stop, that was a big hit.

That triple was huge. Like that way, I mean, they won the game because of this. Actually. So now striking out with the run. on third base. Less huge. It was less huge. He made up for it, though.

Yeah. He made up for it. So Staten Boom, you know, I wish I had more confidence in. It's where I'm going to bring it up every podcast because I don't know. It's where. Aiden Miller. It's where the Aiden. Yeah.

Come in. Because he could. It could change the fortunes of everything. It really could change the trajectory of the season. I know. I know. If the goalies can settle in and Marsh continues to be good and JT and, and.

And Crawford can hit eight, nine. And you feel good about that. It's those two. It is those two in the middle of the lineup. And if Aiden can just get his back right, get back playing, there is a natural succession at both spots. He could play either one of those spots. And there's not really that guy right now,

unless they have so much confidence in Otto Kemp, that they want to just send him down or, I mean, he could theoretically. Oh, yeah. But. Yeah. But that's not an ideal. plan I think for everybody. Yeah, but hold on, give Otto some runway.

We want to kind of take this thing? I don't know, Jim. So, I don't know. But the Aden thing, as this season goes along, and if he can get on the field and produce at AAA, I mean, that's the one that can really shift this thing. If you're not going to go straight prospects for a bad of the deadline, and I don't know where you've really put them anyway, unless you want to get Robbie Ref for the a millionth time to be the platoon guy in left field.

But according to Don Maddenley, you know, they're going to give Marshie some runway here against left-handed pitching. So, I mean, they probably got to at some point. Well, it's just been too good. And the gloves too valuable out there. And I think he's earned it. And, you know, I do wonder if Maddenly kind of saw how Rob was, because it was so funny, when Rob came in, he was such a breath of fresh air for the young players. And then, you know, changed a bit with what he's done with Marsh and just benching him against lefties and stopped kind of benching him against lefties. And even their handling of Crawford this year has been beyond annoying.

You know, just let the kid play every day. And if he's floundering, you can do something. But he's not floundering even during, even during his 538 streak. I didn't think he was floundering. I think he was just going through a rough period. So I wonder if, if Maddenly saw that and was like, eh, maybe I'd do something a little bit. Yeah, that's possible. I'm looking forward to next pod to see when you bring up, Aiden Miller.

All right, let's take back. It'll be around the 30 minute more. That's a figure. Yeah. It usually wants a pod. It'll be good. if you want to talk about Donnie baseball because he's like, you know, I don't want to come on and say that I'm, you know, Mr. Old School because I'm not. I think I think I'm a pretty good.

You're a blend. I think I'm a pretty good blend of some analytics things I really like, some I don't. And some old school stuff bothers me to no end, like the lead off of your stuff. I think we're both the same kind of level. Totally. But you want to talk about something that got my old school juice and thought a little bit? I mean, back-to-back days of funting drills. I know.

Unbelievable. I can't believe. When I saw that, I was like, wow. Yes. Hell you. All right, Donnie. He's playing to the fans with this one, man. Well, you know, and I think the way that Gell brought it was so interesting.

He was basically saying that under Rob Thompson, they did this stuff, but it was more optional, whereas now it's not. Good. And I just think that the legacy of Matt Strom will live forever. I just think the different level of accountability. Well, I think the guys really liked Rob Thompson. And I think they loved Rob and I think they did respect him to a certain degree. There's just a different level when a guy like Don Maddenly says, he's Don Mattingly.

I think you got to do this guys versus Rob Thompson's saying. I totally agree with you. Just the name Don Mattingly carries a weight that Rob Thompson's name doesn't. It's just what it is. Don Manningly won an MVP in the major league. Like, Don Manningley was the most famous athlete in New York City at a point in the 80s. I mean, he has a level of cachet that rubbed, like not only Rob Thompson can't get. Rob Thompson is nowhere close to.

He's not even the same hemisphere from that perspective. And I think the difference between maybe his tenure with Miami and here could be that, you know, those guys in Miami were a bunch of kids. A bunch of kids, yeah. They don't really know who Don Madeline was. It's a good point. These guys know who Donatantly is. These guys are baseball historians, a lot of them.

And I just, it's the one thing that I keep thinking is, you know, when you have Schwerber out there doing bunt drills and things like that. And Harper and, yeah, you're right. There's just a different level of, okay, we should probably do this if he thinks we should do this. So are they going to bunt their way to a World Series title? Let's hope not. I mean, I'll take anything to a World Series title, but let's not hope that.

that's the plan to get there. Yeah. And to be clear, and we've said this a million times in this podcast, the most important thing in the postseason is being able to hit home runs. I mean, you have to be able to hit home runs at key moments and things like that. But you have to also have the little things in your toolbox. And I think that that's been one of the things that has, you know, sunk or hurt them the last couple of October's is they never played crisp, clean baseball.

And I think what he's trying to do is he's trying to get it back to the basics and make sure they're doing the little things right so that when the games get more important, they're not going to bleep down their leg. You're so right. Like we've seen them do. And maybe this is something that he observed last year with the Blue Jays. You know, the Blue Jays also a veteran-laden team. But I thought really one of the things that we appreciate.

I thought they were outstanding at all that stuff. All this stuff. All the stuff. Now, I think they have better defenders. You know, and players who are built for that time. I mean, like, Ernie, the Phillies don't have an Ernie Clement. Like, there's no one on the team who does what that guy does, you know? Yeah.

So he's like Dillimore. on steroids. Yeah, well, Sosa, I think you kind of hope is... You hope, but he's not. He's not as good as Clement. He hasn't played as well as Clement. Well, by the way, there's been three times a series where Sosa was one of them and Marsh is two of them.

Just going the opposite way with it. You know, just poking it over the second base and said. It's good baseball right there, baby. Marshie hitting it down the third base line. That's what you want to see. Two out, two strikes. Go the opposite way. Fight it.

Fight some pitches off. Hell yet. Hell yeah. So I just, I really like the... I've said it a couple of times. There's a difference between doing that. stuff and emphasize on that stuff. Sure. And I think that where it becomes it becomes, you want it to become second nature. You want it to become muscle memory for these guys when they're in these situations

that they can just do these things. And it doesn't become that if you don't practice it and like prioritize it. You have to prioritize. These these guys were paid a lot of money. You're not going to care about it. I totally agree. You have to make a staple of what you do. So maybe he's just overcorrecting. And he's trying to say, hey, my staff thought it was a good idea. I'm not buying it. Not buying it. This is, this is Donnie baseball. I thought there was some minor decisions in games that kind of wasn't a huge fan of.

Again, you have a bullpen gaming game too. You don't have to rush to get Sanchez out of there. Well, and that, yeah, exactly. I should have mentioned that when I was talking about how bad the car green decision was, was the fact they also had a bullpen game the next game. Like, just across the board, it felt like a really strange decision. And while I do, and the other thing he has to be careful of, I do appreciate being, uh, uh, protecting yourself in a way with your,

with your pen getting up and getting ready and making sure that you, you're protected in case things go awry. The one thing he has to guard against is too many up downs and getting too many guys going and, uh, you know, wearing them out from, from that standpoint. So, you know, that's something maybe they can adjust as they go along. I do on its surface, though, I do appreciate having guys ready to go in case. I mean, well, especially after. Topper we just saw. I mean, that that was a flaw of his.

Like, it wasn't he, that, that was not the first or only time that it happened. So I think those are a couple of things that when Don Maddenley said, there's not going to be drastic changes, but there's going to be minor changes that not everyone might see. I do think that the bullpen management, a little bit different so far. I think you're seeing guys running more, which is a little bit different. And I think we'll probably see Marsh play against lefties. I think Crawford's going to play every day. And we'll see if it works.

but I think that those little things and are going to be the big changes and really just focusing on the little things, I think it's going to be a big change under Don Maddenly. I think it's great. Look, I mean, we've talked about a million times. You've said it, you know, there aren't that many A difference making managers

and B, things that managers can do to make big differences. These seem like smart little things to try. Yes. What else do I have here? Is it? So I don't know how much of my tick back? That's okay.

That's okay. It's fine. Friday. I'm meeting Emily for lunch. You're all good. I know. It's pretty crazy that have not had a walk-off home run one trailing in the ninth since stubs off Tanner Scott in 2020.

No way. I get some of the, that really? Yeah. Wow. Yeah, that was a magical moment. Oh,

it's probably the furthest ball that he's ever hit. Oh, probably about it. Batting prices. He never had a ball that far. That thing sailed. She pulled it. Like,

just cranked it, man. Yeah. Yes, Tucker did send me that one. I've turned Tucker into my... What did Tucker send you? I see no credit for that for what? So I texted Tucker last line. I was like,

what was the last time there was a... Oh, Tucker told you? Yes, yes, yes. Yeah, you probably should have credited him there. That was a Tucker line then if he looked it up for you. Yes. So credit the Tucker Bagley. Good job, Tucker.

I did... When I did the podcast, the Tucker, I said I wanted him to do Tucker's bag. And it was just him finding some sicko stats that... Tucker, you got to... I call it Tucker's Bagley though. I mean, come on. It's right on the table in front of you. Tucker also upset that I tweeted it with no credit. So, you know, it seems like there's some, there's some infighting on the podcast. It's pretty messed up. I mean, tweeting with no credit. That's a whole

another thing, you know? I mean, sure. We know how much you need those Numbies. So, you know, and the Numbies would not have been affected if I added T-Bagley. What's his T-Bagley sports? Team Bagley Sports, baby. Follow Tucker on, follow Tucker on Twitter. You almost said the effort. I did. I did. I actually might have.

I actually think you did say it. I think it came out. Follow Tucker turned into another word. Tucker, Tucker's going to have to do some work on that one of his own name. I love it. Might have to. So, yeah, so Tucker, we're going to turn Tucker into our stack geek. Tucker's what I want to say about Tucker.

We are so lucky that he is a part of our pot. That's all I. Yeah. So he, yeah. So it's pretty wild how long it's been since they had one of those. Yeah. And it was setting up to have it is shocking. Honestly, that is stunning.

If you would ask me to get like, I don't, I don't think I would have been able to pull it off as he because it hasn't happened since then. But I would have assumed it happened over the last couple of years. I'm surprised. Yeah. Well, maybe Tucker can find the longest droughts in baseball without a,

without a, and a home run. Jack's telling you he thinks you don't have a lot to do is what he's saying. Tucker is enough to do. I know. You don't see me asking him to go on these. wild goose chases. We don't know.

Minor League minute. We got a minute going? No, that's only for this Monday. I like that. That's good. Important question, since we can move on now.

Weird four game series coming up. The rarely seen weekend into the Monday wrap round, what do we do about pods? Is it a day game on Monday? No, I don't think so. So what do we do? Do we do Tuesday, I guess?

Yeah. I mean, I'm fine going Monday. You hate going mid, mid series. Yeah, we're not doing on this series. Okay, so plan on Tuesday. Yeah, we'll plan on Tuesday.

It is a 640 on Monday. It's a 6.40 on Monday. That's weird. I feel like that's very rare. You see the weekend into the Monday rapper. And the final thing. You know what else is weird? Telling the entire world that you're going to try to hire Alex Cora.

So weird. So real quick, that's a great thing because you know I want to get out of here. But I do want your thoughts on this. Do you think, I feel like there's no reason the Corricide leaks that, right? Like, I don't see what the upside is. Like, he's going to get a job. I don't think he needs that. it feels like that was leaked from the

Debrowski side. I don't get it. I don't think that's a good thing, Dave. I think you missed. I think he's like, look, I tried. I think you misjudged how this would all kind of play out. Which do you think is more of a lock? Al's Corps is the manager next year or A.J. Brown's a Patriot. Well, A.J. Brown is

is a Patriot. But I think they're both happening. I think they're both happening. I would be like I guess there is a world where Don Mangley turns us around. They go on a run and they make the playoffs and they offer Don the job and he's like, I had fun, I want to do it again. But outside of that, I think Alex Corr is going to be. If they make the LCS, you can't fire Madeline.

That's my point. Unless he doesn't want the job, you know, who knows, there's a lot of factors. But yeah. Fire is a strong term. I'm with you. Yeah. You can't bring back. I agree.

Like they, um, so yeah, I think, yeah, we'll see. We'll see. But the core thing, I, I just a major blunder. Why? It's just what he does. I, I don't, I guess I don't get it from the standpoint of like, you know that there's going to be teams they don't know score this all season. And also it's like whether or not, you know, Don Mattingly wanted this job and did

as a favor or whatever. But like, it's like, I don't think any manager should start their role managing with like, well, we couldn't get the guy we wanted. So now it's to you. Like that's just on the surface just feels like not the most awesome way. We're super excited to have Don. Not as excited as we would have been if we got the other guy. But yeah, it's just a weird start to the job.

You know what I mean? Sure. And the fact that, by the way, now, I, I don't blame. People get a little too late. No, they should have gone for Alex Cora. I totally agree with that. Well, people are a little too worked up, I think, about, about, um, Brousie calling

Cora on Saturday night while. Who cares? It's like, he had, he's trying to do the best thing for the baseball team. They were going to give her to top. They were going to get rid of Topper. Like, who cares? What are we doing here, guys? You have to call out of course.

You have to talk to them. So that was a little much. That reaction has been a little much for me. But the one, the one thing that I do find interesting is, and I think only said this a couple times about the idea of Cora could be here in August. That was fascinating. It was Busterle new said it.

Now, I only think that happens if the Phillies are out of it or are. No, totally agree. They're not going to do it. But I was trying to think of it. I don't, I'm sure it's happened. I don't ever remember a team having three managers in a season in my lifetime.

So it was the 2010 Orioles. Okay. So I didn't know that it had happened. Well, that was a, so when I was looking up, has a guy, I was looking at times that a outside voice has come in and taken over the managerial role. So it was show Walter in 10. He took over, he took over in August. And, you know, he was tasked with come in, see where we're at. Who do you want to keep?

Who do you not want to keep? And we'll go, that's the scenario where Cora is here in August is, we're going to be our manager. We're going to sign you to this lucrative deal. who do you want, who do you not want, who's a Cora guy, who's not a Cora guy, and we'll kind of go from there. So if the Phillies are in it and they are going on a run, there's no way in hell that Outscores taken over Don Maddenly in August. But if they fall out of it, they're probably not going to make the playoffs. They're under 500. I think that's a scenario where you can see Cora being here.

He gets the final month, month and a half season to evaluate who he wants going forward. and I still, outside of a miracle run, would be just shocked if Cora is not the manager next year. Yeah, I agree with all that. All right. So we will be back Tuesday, unless something crazy happens, you know, firing people all over the place. Unless something happens, we'll be back Tuesday.

Let's keep this rolling. Can we handle the Marlins, please? Can we three or four? Is that a fair thing to ask at this point? And they're facing all righties, which is good. So there we are. Big serious for Brandon Marsh. Let's go.

Big, Marcy series. So, uh, so, yeah, I will obviously live with the split. The Marlins are a little frisky.

They are. I'm, I'm excited to be annoyed by Xavier Edwards and Otto Lopez for an entire entire series. Oh yeah. And Liam and Ramirez and all these guys. Liam Hicks. So,

um, yeah, I'll take a split, but we're dying for three or four. All right. Uh, we'll be back on Tuesday to react. Take three or four boys,

please. All right. Until then, he's heard themselves.