High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - I Feel Like an Idiot

Episode Date: August 19, 2021

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies disappointing stretch of play since the 8-game win streak. The guys discuss Nola coming up small, losing to the lowly Diamondbacks, and much more. 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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Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the high hopes podcast. It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies on radio.com and sports radio, 94 WIP. Yo, it is another edition of the Hot Hope Podcast. Hey buddy, how you doing? Not well.

We're looking at each other. It's nice in studio together. That's fun. It should be a joy. Last time we were in studio together, it was like a really fun, joyous occasion. Last time we did a podcast, this team was on their way to the World Series. Yeah, the yo was epic. And today there wasn't even a yo. It was like, yo. It's like, hey, we're here. I didn't even want to do the yo.

I almost just went, hey. They don't deserve a yo. I know. That's how I feel. I feel like, I mean, all right. Eight straight. It sounds so silly now. How excited we are.

Did it happen? Are we sure it happened? I'm not. I'm not sure it actually happened. I'm a big multiverse guy. It could have been a parallel universe or something like that. I don't know. You can't tell me that you didn't think

it was 2011. It could have been 2011. You're right. It could have been. I know there are injuries and all that. No. How? How does this happen again? Again, the Diamondbacks lose the first two The Diamondbacks, 6 of 8

The Braves won 14 of 16, no biggie Yeah, everything's fine They're 3 and a half back Weekend after went from 2 and a half up to 3 and a half back They lost 5 games in the stands like that I don't even know who to directly pinpoint My anger towards All of them? Everybody?

It's everyone except for Bryce. Yeah. Pretty much. Hard to be mad at Bryce. Hard to be mad at Bryce. You know, whatever. And I guess Zach Wheeler. I mean, I know, you know.

Listen. Wasn't great in that last start, but you can't be mad at Zach. I'm not mad at Zach Wheeler, but like. Slightly disappointed. Be better. I mean, just be better. They needed him that start. It wasn't great.

Now, real quick, before we get off the jump here, we never lie the iops listeners yeah i think a lot of iops listeners know i was a fish in ac this weekend yes so very little philly's reds i've caught up i you know i've looked at highlights i've watched what i can see very little phil's reds very little phil's reds we didn't miss much like friday i missed matt mcgord throwing a no hitter that's about it it was a no hitter and it does count official yes i It was a no-hitter, and it does count. Official. Yes. I mean, he's an opener. Him and Pavetta both have no-hitters this year. But the thing is... That is pretty funny, by the way,

that dad having to vote those guys this year. Anyway, go ahead. It did. But yeah, so basically, the Red Series is basically a series of frustration, and the only wrap-up I have is that Friday night was excruciating it was like

they had opportunities and it was never capitalized and Tyler Mailey was unbelievable and Wheeler just was bad we will say long time Tyler Mailey guys here

yes we've long been on the I've owned him in fantasy multiple years now so he is what Spencer Howard should have been I mean if

there's stuff wise and it's again another example of the Reds doing it, of taking these guys and turning them into good pitchers. Yeah. You know, not flipping him at the deadline of two months after he struggled. I got it.

I'm okay with it. I know you're okay with it. I know. Saturday. Oh, Saturday was the Matt Moore game. That's where I was at. Cause Jill says she was at was in town from Iowa.

So I had to play Funko, but also had to sneak down. Oh, they were still there. Yeah, listen. It was a week-long thing. Really cutting into your Phillies, actually. Dude, I know. And every time I go over, the same thing happens. It's like, oh, I'm there.

Game starts. Sneaking up and down. And they're like whispering to themselves. Oh, there goes Uncle Jack again. But real quick on this Funko thing, and then we'll get back to it. Yeah. Because this is far more interesting. It's way more.

I like that you think that being a funkle is more responsibility than being a parent. Like, actually being in charge of the kid's life and death. The funkle is a bigger responsibility. You believe that. It's way more responsibility. Like, parents can have bad days. Parents can be off.

Parents can be all that stuff. But you know what a funkle can be off parents can be all that stuff but you know what a funko can't be he can't be tired he can't be out he can't be hung over he has to be ready to go at all times and that's the pressure that that comes with it yeah you know like i i was gonna say being a parent's overrated but it's not i was just kidding i was gonna say because you will be a parent someday or god willing yeah, you know, maybe don't go down that road. No, but parenting is not a routine. I was going to make a joke about it.

I was going to make a joke. Yeah, it's not the easiest. Not the easiest at all. It's awesome. But being a funcle is like, think about it this way. You see the joy in those kids' faces when Funcle Jack walks through the door. And I can't let them down. I get it.

And look, I appreciate that you look at it. As the father of a daughter whose uncle, no offense, Peter, less fun than you. Obviously. Everyone knows that. Everyone knows that. Peter is absolutely no fun. No, no.

Very little fun. Peter is not Mr. Fun. I'm more fun than Peter. I think Peter would admit that. But I get it. I hope that Peter wants to see that smile and that joy, and Zoe's eyes too. So I get it. I appreciate that Peter wants to see that smile and that joy in Zoe's eyes too. So I get it.

I appreciate the dedication to it. Listen, and not only is it from the kids, but like Joel's sister, they're like, they're responsible. Go play with him. Yeah.

Give him a break. It's always nice. Yeah. I'm basically, I give the parents a break. You want to watch my kid for a view? Thanks. Great.

Yeah. But then they come downstairs and they're like, ah, you know, can we go play outside? And I'm like, well, Matt Moore's throwing no hitters and like matt moore's like the best lefty in phil's history and i just want to kind of see what he's doing at the moment so

um but yes the highs and lows of matt moore dude it's like it's like he goes to the bullpen throwing 96 and everyone's like oh wow he's our next pomerantz next outing 91 getting lit up and then he's throwing a no hitter i. I know. It really is unbelievable. It's really real high and really, really low. All right, so back to the timeline. Yeah, well, Saturday was good. It was fine. It was like, oh, good win. Real quick, before we move on from that,

how did you feel about him pulling him in the moment? So I didn't like that he pulled him. 76 pitches. Yeah, but at the same time. He's not going nine. I think it's the way you look at it. There's no way that Matt Moore is going 9 in that spot He needs, what, 3 more innings

And he's at 76 Theoretically, he could go 9 But where his arm is at He's probably not going 9 And he's probably not throwing a no-hitter Still, I didn't love that Well, here's the thing If you've watched Matt Moore all year

You're like, oh, he's definitely going to blow this But it's also like It's kind of a cool chance to watch a guy throw a noter yes so also you're in a division race so i understand pulling yeah yeah my big and it wasn't a blowout it was at that point yeah it was it became more after but my big take is that i'm fine with it yeah but also i would have liked to see i was a little disappointed by it but i'm with you like i can't hate on it when you were at the when you were at the fish concert and the pinch hitting worked out like it. When you were at the Fish concert. And the pinch hitting worked out. It did.

When you were at the Fish concert, could you sense in your bones that Matt Moore is throwing a no-hitter? So, funny enough, I wasn't at the concert yet because it was a day game. Oh, okay. So I was actually watching my hotel room, and we don't get FS1 in the hotel room. So it was like, great, awesome. So we were watching on a phone, like a little phone, and it was four of us in the room. I didn't know it first. My buddy's like, hey, Matt Moore's got a no-hitter through four. I was like,

okay. Yeah, it's only four, but whatever. Let's turn it on. Then it's like through six and we're sitting there like, oh my goodness. We're hanging and paying attention and looking and stuff. Then he pulled them. We're like, just a little disappointed in that room. It was the most Phillies baseball I watched all weekend. It was the two innings of Matt Moore. Sounds like your buddy jinxed

them. Yeah. Way to go, Robbie. Way to go, man. So Saturday happens. I'm like, oh, Robbie. Way to go, man. So Saturday happens. I'm like, oh, all right. They stabilize. The Dodgers series is fine. Losing two or three. Totally fine.

Perfectly fine. It's what it is. Friday night was disappointing because it was like you have your ace in the mound. And the game was just frustrating. There was just a lot of frustrating aspects to it. Saturday happens. They had no hitter. All that stuff was great.

And then it's like, hey, Aaron. Yep. frustrating aspects to it um saturday happens they no hitter all that stuff is great and then it's like hey aaron yep just don't suck and it's just he he is such a massive bummer like he is just such a bummer i would say the biggest bummer on the team this year right like if we go back to the beginning of the year and look at how this has played out like i know alec bohm is a big bummer too but like he's barely played in the major leagues. Like, he didn't even have a full rookie season. Like, he's a bummer, but at least it's like, all right. Like, I get it. This stuff happens with young players. Aaron Nola has not just been like, not ace Aaron Nola. He hasn't even been like 3-5 ERA Aaron Nola. He's got a 4-5 ERA, Jack. I mean, he has been, in my opinion, if you're going to pinpoint one guy as the bummer of the season,

the biggest reason this team isn't in the playoffs compared to what we expected from him, it's got to be him, right? It does. And it gives you the flash. It's like, oh, okay, there he goes. And then he reverts back. And the most frustrating part about Aaron Nola right now

is that, you know know it's such an easy simple formula that a guy as good as he has shown should be able to execute. Figure out your fastball command and then have everything work off that and I don't get why we're four months, five months into the season and he still can't figure that out

like it just, his stuff is too good, the slowing of the pace all the way down to a freaking snail's crawl when there's runners on base. Like, we are, if you want to be considered one of the best pitchers in the sport, and you want to use the Fugazi F-War to say that you're a top 10 pitcher in the sport, and people want to use that and say, oh, he's top. Dude, at some point, you got to win big games, and you got to step up.

And for three years years he has just routinely let them down in big moments and you cannot put analytics on any of that stuff whatever just I test and feel is that he does not step up to the occasion ever since like that Nationals game in 2018

yeah, yeah, Sarkat Harper that was the last time Jack I was literally thinking about that, that was the last time we've seen NOLA in what felt like a big spot come through and be good. And it's just incredibly frustrating. And I'm with you. Look, everyone who listens to this pod knows we're big numbers guys. We love analytics.

We love where the game is at. We're all good that we have our problems. And we think, you know, for the good of the game, maybe we slow it down a bit. But we respect analytics and we appreciate what they tell us about players and stuff like that but i'm with you man with aaron nola like all you gotta do is watch this guy all you gotta do is watch and and consistently over and over and over again in a spot where they need this guy to show up where they need them to shove for him he doesn't do it and to

your point jack it's it is made that much more frustrating when we see the four innings before the rain out against the Dodgers where you're like, oh my God. There he is. Yes, the 10 straight strikeouts against the Mets, the complete game shutout earlier in the year, the 7 2 3rds against the Yankees. You can point to them. Where is these games where it's like, oh, there he is?

And that's what's so frustrating. It's one thing if a guy just has a year from hell. He's having outings where he's showing us that guy. And then he just reverts. And he can't even get on a roll. I feel like there have been times in the past where Noel's gone through stretches. Like the beginning of last year, we had that kind of rough stretch to start the year. But then he gets on a run.

And it's like 10 straight, 12 straight, 14 straight. Like great to good starts without these clunkers in there. And it feels like almost every other start this year, it's been a clunker. He can't get in any sort of a role. Yeah. There was once a time on this podcast before it became, you know,

the podcast that one member of this, uh, this, this program said that he could not wait for playoff. And let me just tell you something, pal, I would dread the day. I know. I would dread the day.

I know. I can't think of anyone I want pitching less in a playoff game. Like, give me Kyle Gibson in a playoff game. Give me Eflin on one knee. Give me that more. I mean, at least the guy has a chance. No, I'm kidding. Yeah, that's too far.

Choking, choking. Maybe use Suarez as the opener and whatnot. But it's just, yeah, for where this team is at, for what we need from them, and honestly, I know the three and a half game's out, and I know they're not technically out of it, but if they won't have any chance, I mean, it comes down to whether or not Nola can figure out his stuff. Big time. I agree with you.

It's pretty much it. The offense, obviously, ugh. Look, they were going to win and die with the offense. The whole conversation is moot if the offense doesn't score runs. That's the must-have. They cannot win without the offense scoring runs score runs. That's the must-have. They cannot win without the offense scoring runs. And we've said that all year. We've said they'll live and die

with their offense. So that has to be the constant. If they have any chance over the last 42 games of the season, it's because they're going to hit. That's a must. It's that next thing. Because just hitting is not going to be enough. Braves have won 14-16. And you know what the Braves are doing that the Phillies don't? And it's what you talked about when you talked about all to be enough. Braves have won 14-16 and you know what

the Braves are doing that the Phillies don't? And it's what you talked about when you talked about all the easy schedule where you've got to go out and win the games they're supposed to win?

And this Phillies team for years has not done that? The Braves do that. The Braves beat the teams they're supposed to beat. They win games in August and September. They've done it three years in a row.

They've got a bunch of guys who've done it three years in a row. Like, it matters, man. It does. No, it does. And Freeman is just back to being MVP guy. I mean, he's, I think he's. Cycle.

He has two cycles? Yeah, we got David Bell. What the hell is that? We did it again. We did it like three cycles this year. Like, didn't Riley have one too? I don't know. It's unbelievable.

Speaking of that. Or Swanson. I think Swanson. Speaking of that, I need Austin Riley to go back to sucking. Austin Riley is terrible. Like, I will stick to that. He is terrible. There's no shot he keeps this up.

It's driving me crazy. Well, it is frustrating, too, when talking about the Braves and we are like, oh, the Phillies injuries. Oh, they're without reason. They were out in the country for bids. They lost Acuna. They lost one of the three best players in the sport, and they just keep trudging along.

Let's go get Adam Duvall. We'll be fine. What the hell, man? I know. And Soler now has a 1,200 OPS enjoying them. We'll be fine. Like, what the hell, man? I know. And like, Soler now is like a 1,200 OPS enjoying them. Of course he is. And they got him for nothing. Like, he was literally off the scrap heap. The guy led the AL

on home runs two years ago. Yeah, Ian Anderson has been banged up. They keep trudging along. The depth. The depth. They bring up guys who play. But it's the depth, but it's also the culture that they create. Yeah, no question. And I don't know, and again, I don't know how to,

I don't know how to quantify this. Like, I don't know how to show that this is a thing. But the simple fact of the matter is that this team does not rise to the occasion. And they don't feel like a close clubhouse. I thought during the

eight game winning streak, like they were starting to figure that out. It felt like it. But they have, but the reality is they have they were starting to figure that out. It felt like it. But the reality is they have no idea how to win. And they just continue

to show no idea how to win. And when they lose they get really down and when they win they're front runners. But overall they don't know

how to pull themselves out of the abyss and fight and grind and all that stuff. And you see the Braves and they've been there before they've done all this they're like listen we still got it we can still make it. And you see the Braves, and they've been there before. They've done all this.

They're like, listen, we still got it. We can still make it. And that's the big difference between these two teams is that one knows how to win, and one has no idea how to win. And I don't know why the Phillies don't know how to win. They've had players that have been there. Bryce has been in the playoffs. McCutcheon's been in the playoffs. I mean, a lot of these guys have.

I mean, Segura hasn't been in the playoffs, but he's played in enough big games. Played in enough games. Didi's obviously been in the playoffs. Romito hasn't been in the playoffs. I mean, a lot of these guys have. I mean, Segura hasn't been in the playoffs, but he's played in enough big games. Played in enough games. Yeah, exactly. Didi's obviously been in the playoffs. Romito hasn't been in the playoffs, but he's played in the league enough. Right. Figure it out.

And I don't know if that's a Girardi problem. I don't know if that's a leaders on this team problem. I don't know who to pinpoint it on. I really don't. And it's probably, to be fair, it's probably a bunch of them. It's probably the blame is probably spread out among a few of those guys. But what they've done, like what they've done this series just tells you, like this is the most I've felt like they need a major shakeup

since we started this podcast. Like you can't go to Arizona and lay an egg when you're competing, quote unquote, competing for a playoff. Yeah. And if they go 500 this week, if they go 500 this week, then they would be two and a half out of the wild card. Everyone thought the wild card was dead. Over, and it's the Padres keep losing games.

And the Reds are right there. Yeah, and they signed Arrieta. So everything's fine. I know, unbelievable. But it's just like there's no shot. You can't keep running the same crap out there and expecting it to change. This is the third straight year at the end of the year where everything's falling apart. And it's the third straight year all these guys, minus DeeDee and Wheeler, have been there.

Like, the core is the core. And it's the second year for those guys. It's not like they just got here. No, the core is the core. And what they've shown us for three years is this core has no idea how to win baseball games, rise to the occasion, and fight. For as much as Girardi wants to talk about

they grind out at bats and all that stuff, show it. Prove to me they grind out at bats. Dude, you're facing the worst staff in baseball right now. There was 13 straight retired on Tuesday night. Dude, Arizona is the worst staff in baseball and you've scored four runs in two games there. You gave them their 39th and 40th wins of the season.

Well, it's early in the season, right? They're going to end up with like 55 wins. I know. Yeah, they actually have hope. They're not stuck in freaking purgatory. Look, you ready to admit that Brian Snicker is not a horrible manager or no credit for Brian Snicker? No, he's sleeping in the dugout.

He's got video. He gets wins. He's got a clubhouse. He's got a culture. Look, I'm with you. I don't know who to blame. I think there's a fair amount of blame to go out, and I think Bryce deserves some of it.

I think JT deserves some of it. I think Joe Girardi deserves some of it. And these guys in the, again, we've talked about this as a problem all year long, and the last few years, is the lack of a cohesive group there, the lack of a group that knows how to win, the lack of leadership. Yet again, like, look, you can't rip Bryce for what he's done on the field,

but I do think that we're not in that clubhouse, but I think you can say Bryce Harper needs to do more in that clubhouse. Like, he needs to be a bigger leader. He needs to be a better leader. Someone has to step up and grab this club by the reins because we have not seen a single person do it all year long. And you know what? Maybe they need Freddie Galvis. There it is!

I mean, seriously though. Get out there, Freddie, and lead this ball club because apparently that's the best we can do. So funny. They've gone into the absolute tank ever since he has been on his rehab assessment. Just Freddie on the Phillies means losses? Yeah.

In about some way. Well, no, but like. He hasn't even played a game yet. No, but he hasn't. He also hasn't been in Arizona. Yeah. I do think it matters. I think.

Get him out there. I think him in the dugout and with, you know, I think it's important. I do too. We talked about it. But how, that's. How sad is that? That's insane. I mean, Freddie Galvis has never been a winning player.

Like, not by his fault, but like, he's never been on good teams. No, but it's the fact that we're relying on Freddie to be our leader is insane. That is actually embarrassing. Yeah. Like, it's embarrassing. But, like, I want to talk about JT. Yeah, please. Because you know what?

Yeah, dude got paid a lot of money, and he's been a disappointment flat out this year. The pass ball last night, it's like, dude, you can't let that ball get by. Unbelievable. You cannot let that ball get by. Like, unbelievable. Can't let that ball get by. Best catcher in baseball, I thought. And then the swing 3-0 on an outside pitch that you can't.

In a 3-0 count, you're looking for one pitch, one spot. That's what you do in 3-0 counts. And the fact that he thought he could put, whatever. He's at 13 home runs. He's 13 home runs. Yep. And he do in 3-0 counts. And the fact that he thought he could put, whatever. He's at 13 home runs. He's 13 home runs. And he hasn't missed that much time. He missed like a couple weeks early on and he's been here. Everyone's like, oh, JT was hurt. He was hurt for like two weeks earlier.

That's it. He has 13 home runs. And apparently this is a guy that can transition to be a DH at first base. What's he at, like 270 or something? 280? It's not like he's crushing it. And he's had, I think, one big hit as a Philly like the Nationals hit yeah that one

or that double yeah it was a big hit it's just you need your stars to perform right now the brave stars are performing and right now the Phillies only

star is Bryce Harper yep and he is actually performing where we need Bryce Harper to be it's just that no one else is performing around him like no like we we like the Stars, right?

Because we felt like they were carrying us during the last little streak there. But they're not. Yeah, it's only Bryce. Bryce is the only one who's kept hitting. Obviously, Reese is out. But, like. Which matters. But, again, like, to the point we just made, like, Ronald Acuna is out.

Travis Darnot is out. Like, I mean, like, I mean, Ronald Acuna is out. That's all we need to say. They weathered the loss of Ronald Acuna and have gained games in the division since losing, like, the third, the fourth best player in baseball, whatever you want to call him, the fifth best player, like a top five player in baseball, you lose and you're winning the division. Yeah.

Flip it around. If the Phillies lost Bryce Harper, like, season over. Like, completely season over. Also, I just want to point out, we're talking about the Diamondbacks. They have 39 wins. Well, it's been a while since I watched a game and went through the lineup. You always make the joke, and it's not a joke because it is true. Like, Jack and I watch a lot of baseball.

We both have the package. We watch, like, as many games as we can. You know I talk about it on my second TV. Like, I always have baseball on. Like, last night was one of those games where it's like going through the lineup. I'm like, who's bleeps this guy? Who's that guy? Like it's like Humberto Castellanos.

Yeah. I'd never heard of him. Ever in your life, Jack. Never heard of him in my life. Shut us down. Three hits and five and thirds or whatever. Like are you kidding me? This guy's an opener.

They brought in a guy the night before who had a 13 and a half ERA. And he went right through the middle of our lineup. Like, it was absolutely nothing. They are the worst. I think at least last I looked, the worst staff in baseball by the numbers. Oh, and don't even get me started on Tyler Clippard. Like, dude, Tyler Clippard should not be on a major league roster.

He's like 1,000 years old. And he's terrible. Shutting us down. Yeah, 89 right down the middle. Boom. Those are stuff right there, buddy. He shouldn't be closing For a triple A team

He might not be in a bullpen Yeah Probably not Yeah But here we are And then And it's just And James

I know you feel like an idiot I do Yeah I do Because I All season long Have been the voice of reason And the

Hey don't You know Jack Let me rein you back in Who let the Philz get out Stop saying that odd stuff And then I finally i finally went in man like i feel like an idiot i really do i honestly feel like an idiot for finally buying it and there's the name of the podcast but but yeah and and i just sit and i just if i just am i if i'm just sitting here and telling you exactly how i feel, I feel genuine sadness.

I really do. That eight-game winning streak was special. It was the best thing that's happened in the history of our podcast other than them signing Bryce Harper. That's how great it was. Right. I was so in on them, and I loved them so much. I was like, finally, they feel like our guys.

They finally feel like we're getting the Phillies back. Phillies are finally mean something in Philadelphia again. And for a week there, no one was even talking about the Eagles. No one could talk about the Eagles because the Phillies were overwhelming. And I think the biggest misconception about Philadelphia is about the baseball town. It's a really good baseball town. It's a really good baseball town. Philadelphia is a very good baseball town. We set the sellout streak.

That does matter. I think it got passed by the Red Sox or whatever. It got passed. 252 straight. At that point in the history of baseball, the most sellouts in a row, that's a bad baseball team that doesn't happen in a bad baseball town. That's what I'm trying to say. And it's supporting a team that does have the most losses in history yes in the history of north american sports yes is it is there a team that has more in the world

i i mean not that i i don't know about like all like the soccer teams that have been around since like the 1500s or whatever that kind of stuff 16 or whatever right we'll catch them we'll get there and honestly probably not like if there's no one who has over 11,000 losses but the Phillies. Wow. Everything's pretty special. I know. It's pretty special, man. Pretty exciting.

What a franchise. This is the team we get saddled with. I was going to say chose. It was like, wait, I didn't choose them. Yeah, I didn't choose them. Thanks, Dad. Although maybe the A's will move back. Thanks, Dad.

Yeah. My grandfather was a massive Phillies fan. I grew up with my dad, a Phillies fan because of my dad, but my grandfather was a massive Philadelphia A's fan and just stopped caring about baseball when they left. Wasn't an Oakland A's fan, wasn't a Phillies fan, but he would tell me stories about Al Simmons and Jimmy Foxx. He loved it.

Huge guy. Ted Simmons. Is it Ted Simmons? Yeah, Ted Simmons. Ben Simmons. Foot in the bucket. That's what he used to call him. Foot in the bucket Simmons.

Why? Because he used to step back with the back foot. Foot in the bucket. Yeah. Did he? Mickey Collins. Was he open to call him. Foot in the bucket Simmons. Why? Because he used to step back with the back foot. Foot in the bucket. Yeah. Did he? Mickey Collins. Was he open to dunking in a game seven? And not passing it off to a teammate?

Yeah, he was a good Simmons. Okay. Yeah. That's good. I mean, they won World Series. Why not? Oh, yeah. But the point is, it's like, you know, they do that.

And I'm like, finally, they've arrived. These guys look like they like each other. The bench pieces are being bench pieces. They're not being relied upon to start. Yeah, we were excited. It felt like a roster. It felt real. And we sit here literally a week later, a week and a half later,

and it just feels over. And I know we go through roller coasters where it's like, oh, they're back, they're not, they're back, they're not, whatever. But it's just like they had a real opportunity, and now everyone is just mad at them again, and they should be mad at them. I've been pretty easy on them this year. Yes.

Because you love the Phillies. I know. That's the point of this. It is elective, right? I mean, for people like us, it's not because we're diseased, but the idea of a sports team is you choose to root for them, you choose to spend your time watching them, you choose to spend your money

on their merchandise, on going to games. We don't have to, right? You and I, our job is this and stuff like that, but for the most part, people don't have to follow the Phillies or root for the Phillies, but they do because we love them and we want them to be good. Yeah, and I don't even have a rant today.

Yeah, because we're beaten down. I just sit here sad. I'm just genuinely sad. I'm just genuinely sad. The fact that they can have that eight-game winning streak, lose two-three to the Dodgers, that's fine. I get it. The way we talk about the Reds now,

it's like we're talking about the 1927 Yankees. Like, oh, that lineup and that pitching staff. It's like, dude, the Reds have stunk most of the year. Like, relax. And they were a joke last year. They got hot. And even then, that lineup, it's like, I like guys like Jonathan India and Jesse Winker

and these guys. I do love Winker. Well, Winker, you know, he's my fantasy guy. I f***ing love him. Oh, here we go. Bleep it. Bleep it! F8. F8, I know. I f***ing love him. Oh, here we go. Bleep it. Bleep it! I, uh...

F8. F8, I know. I'm used to the new, you can hit M or F8. We're getting inside baseball here. But anyway, it's not like this is a lineup full of studs. No! Or unbeatable. Although I did not appreciate Castellanos actually doing the whole 4-0 lead deep left

field home run. I know. That hurt a little bit. It was a little bit of a kick in the you-know-what. Yeah, it did. It did hurt a little bit. I think it little bit of a kick in the you know what. Yeah, it did. It did hurt a little bit. I think it's a year. I think that's today, by the way.

Really? Randomly, yeah. I think that was a year ago. Wow. Wow, look at that. It sure has changed the internet forever. And, yeah. Oh, my God.

But it's crazy how much it happens to Cassianos. I know. Well, yeah, it's unbelievable. It seems like he's a magnet for it. No, no, but the amount of times it's been like, there's a 4-0 lead. I know. It feels like it's unbelievable. It's the one internet joke that I actually find funny.

I think it's great. And especially like when people really nail it when you don't see it, especially now after it's been a while, when someone nails it, when it's like you don't see it coming at all, it is gold. I'm very with it. Could it say baseball? 2-1-5. But, yeah, it's just, yeah,

the last two nights, just the laying down, and they'll rally in the ninth against the worst pitcher I've ever seen in Tyler Clipper at this point. But it's just like the whole game. To have 13 straight retired, to have three hits,

they have, what, six hits the entire series? Seven hits the entire series? So, yeah, four and three, I have three hits, they have what? Six hits the entire series? Seven hits the entire series? So, yeah, four and three, I think it was. So, seven. They have seven hits the entire series. Maybe eight max. It might be four and four, but it's not great.

Well, they have three. I know they had three the first game of the series. Okay, so then seven for sure. They had four last night. But it's just like, how do you do that and say you're in a playoff series and believe that you're good enough to get into win the post or get into the post season. And Bryce talking last week, like when we get in the post season,

I'm excited to see a range of sports. Like, how do you just lay down and not put up a fight? Like, dude, I don't care. I don't care that there's 7,000 people in the stands. I know you got to create your energy.

The Braves just played in Miami where it's just as dead. Swapped. And they destroyed him. Yep. They destroyed him. Although last night they didn't make it. Might be more dead in Miami. At least they have a pool in Arizona. Yeah, that's true.

That's true. And it's just this is why no one can trust him. This is why I feel like an idiot every time I really defend him hard because I felt like they... I can't wrap my head around a baseball team not being

able to ride that momentum. I just can't do it. I can't sit there head around a baseball team not being able to ride that momentum. I just can't do it. I can't sit there and watch the eight-game streak, see them finally coming back and battling back and looking like they're having fun and all this energy in the ballpark being full, and not think they figured it out. But they just didn't. They just didn't.

I know the season's not over, but it's hard to just buy in and trust them again because this has just been gross. Yeah, and it's tough, too, when you look at what the Braves are doing. When we have talked about this division so much and why we have had hope is because, look, none of these teams are great. Talent-wise, the Phillies are right there and in some cases probably better than other teams but to the point we've been making this Braves team is just better like they know how to win games they

know how to to play well when it matters they don't go on these runs of just like not showing up for a game especially a game against the teams you have to beat and when you look at these two schedules we were all like oh the Phillies schedule like as the Jack made, the Phillies actually have to beat these teams. Guess what? The Braves schedule is super easy too. And I think they're going to win a lot of those games that they're supposed to win, like they've been doing in the, like the 14 of 16, they won. It's not that impressive.

The opponents, like the Reds are the only good one. It's the Marlins. It's the Nationals. It's those type of teams, but they're handling business. They're handling business. Well, and really, and actually good teams don't lose two or three to the Reds at home. Absolutely. When you have Wheeler and Nola making those starts.

Like, the Matt Moore game was a gift. I mean, that's an anomaly. Well, of course, that's what they win, right? That's been like, that series is like a perfect example of the Phillies this year. It's the, you have Wheeler, Nola, and Matt Moore going, and you win the Matt Moore game. You lose the other two. I feel like that's happened all year. Yeah, and I mean this.

I mean this. I'm sitting there after the game, and this is my first feeling. I can't wait for the season to be over. I just can't wait for it to be over. Jack, this makes me sad. I can't do it. They've beaten you down so much. Dude, I can't do it again.

I'm sad now because for me, I'm mad at myself for believing. I get it. Again, we're fans. First and foremost, like we are a fan of the Phillies and we want it. We want it desperately, especially after how long it's been on. It's like I don't I'm not mad at myself for wanting it and hoping and stuff, but I'm mad at myself for like because I should have known because I've been right where I was. But seeing you like this makes me sad. Like when you've gotten it, they really. It's bad. It's bad. I'm have known. Because I've been right where I was. But seeing you like this makes me sad.

Like when you've gotten there, they really. It's bad. It's bad, man. I'm down bad. I can tell, man. I can tell. Like they have really beaten you down here. Maybe it's because I'm thinking about what I have to do later. But combined with the Phillies.

An Eagles preseason game is no fun, buddy. It's not going well. It's not good. I'm not complaining. I'm just saying it caused a lot of... Never mind. And by the way, we're recording this at 2.30. They have a game at 3.40, so like... Oh, when they win, yeah.

As usual with our pods, they're going to go out and win 15 to nothing today. Yeah. Everything's fine. You guys sound like idiots. I'm done. Anyway. Although I will say, I do appreciate them getting it out of the way early this year, the collapse. So we don't have to worry late.

Usually they drag us along. They drag us along. And then they just go one and nine in the final ten games. That's a really good point. We got it out of the way early this year. We got the pain done with early. But you know what's going to happen, James? They're not going to let us down easy.

Like you just said. And they're going to pull us right back in. Well, me. Yeah, I think I've learned my lesson here. I think, yeah, you probably should have. I know. But if Sir Anthony comes up and Reese comes back and they let Bone play. Healthy.

Let's go. Bones play today. Back in the lineup. I can't even utter the sentence, who let the Philz get hot? You better not is the point. You're not allowed. I just can't. Just think about how dumb they are.

Like, they could have just capitalized on this. They would have the whole city running. I know. They would have, like, everyone. I know. That's the thing. Like, I had a good bit. It was a great bit.

You know I usually give you crap for some of these bits. I'm like, Jack, this was a great bit, and I was fully in on it. It run for its run. It was genius. Yeah. And now everyone's running. Like, like a thing. I see on Twitter I'm away for a week and all of a sudden I come back I'm looking on Twitter and it's like all these guys sending videos

I'm like, I'm with Fritz, I'm running. And then they just bleep all over it. Just like a huge pile of bleep right on it. It was a fit bit. How long were you waiting to make that joke? I just thought of it. Get out of here.

I really did. It's a really good one. It was a Fitbit. It's good work for you. I like it. I actually do. But yeah, we had a really good opportunity. We could have the whole city running. Playoff runs. It could have been really cool. I already started thinking about setting up something down at System Bank Park where you run around the bank.

Listen. It was all great. It was all great. And then they had to go to Arizona and they had to do what they've done the last two nights. And it's like, why do I even do this? They're so bad. They're so bad. Again, they won 40 games this season. With the last two, they were at 38

wins. Even as much as we talk crap about the Phillies all year long, they're at 61 wins. Think about how much better that is. Like, come on. And they even got two innings from J.D. Hammer. Two shutouts. Yeah, so that makes it even worse.

I know. They survived. No, what makes it worse is to the point, like, Ranger wasn't great, right? Way too many base runners. I think you have, like, eight hits, four walks, and four and two-thirds. Like, goes four and two-thirds, which is nice, but three runs. But the fact that the Phillies have given up

three runs and four runs in back-to-back games in Arizona and not won either, that's the problem. Like, that's the problem. Because like, yes,

the pitching wasn't great, but you should be able to win these games. Kyle Gibson gives up three, Ranger, and they give up four, whatever. Like,

you should be able to win those games. That's what's so frustrating. I'm not expecting Ranger Suarez and the bullpen to go out and shut a team down. I'm expecting them to be good enough where you could score five or six runs and win a baseball game.

And that's the problem, the lack of life against the worst half in baseball. Yeah, and Gibson gave them a good enough, they should have won that. Also, it was really disheartening seeing the home run go over the fence in right field, and Bryce just like, he felt it.

You could tell he felt it. He wanted, if he could tweet at that moment, he would have said, feels like a loss. Yep. Yep. He would have said, this feels like a loss. He would have been right. And he would have been dead right,

because it really did. Yeah. And then Ranger, you know, Ranger was actually like, the worst he would have been right. And he would have been dead right, because it really did. And then Ranger, you know, Ranger was actually, like, shocked. The worst he's been all year. Yeah, he really, look, the most uncomfortable he's been all year. He gave up 12 base runners in the 4-2-3rds. I mean, that's a lot, man. I mean, just

four walks alone for Ranger is weird. Control is not his issue. No, it's not. And you hope that that was the one thing, you know, bringing him out of the bullpen, and now he's, you hope he doesn't overextend himself to where, like, he gets exposed as, you know, not being a great starter, which he hadn't been.

Like, when Ranger first came up. He's never been in his career, yep. Yeah, he was not a good starter when he first came up. He's not this locked down, you know. They think he's, like, a legit, like, top, you know. Look, I hope so. I hope so, too. I mean, he's way more valuable if he's actually good as a starter, but...

Given the Phillies track record. Yeah. I don't think it's going to be. I don't either. I think that's a safe bet, my friend. Yeah. Safe bet. You know what I know he is?

A shutdown reliever. But no biggie. Whatever. Yeah, just get him out of the role that he feels comfortable in. The role where he's been one of the best in baseball at that particular role, but no biggie. Yeah, just get him out of there. Why? Just get him out of there.

A high leverage reliever, that's not valuable. Today's game. It's fine. It's fine. I mean, look, I do think that decision, we didn't agree with it, but I do think the Afflin injury as it's played out was part of it. I think they knew more than we did that Afflin wasn't coming back soon.

And I get that. Because then you're talking about both Matt Moore and Chase Anderson or a bullpen game every fifth day or whatever. I get it. I understand. Vinny made a rehab start the other night. Oh, we're fine then. He looked great before he went on the I.L.

Yeah, Vinny's gone back. Oh, man. It is such a bummer, especially because, you know, because of the fish shows and stuff we didn't get to record last week. My fault. Donovan just passed. But it is pretty funny if you were to just look at

the last pop we did to this one. It's unbelievable that in a week and a half or whatever that we could feel that way and now feel this way. They're three and a half out also. They're out.

They're three and a half out. It's getting real. Three and a half out with 42 games to play. We're there, buddy. It's the stretch run. The famed stretch run, happening now.

Is everything fine, though? No. No, it's not? No, no. I just want to double check. I just want to double check. Not fine. But it's funny, though,

because three and a half out a week, three and a half out two weeks ago was like, I got a chance. They got either in it or still in it. And now they're three and a half out. It's like, oh.

Yeah. Well, it is, yeah. It's a great point. And if it were the reverse where they had you know even if if they had been you know six out and they move up to three and a half out we're like okay they're in this it's like the reds have done the reds have just constantly chipped away at the padres lead and like it's out lurk a game back two games back whatever it's like oh wow this is a real thing now it felt like that was going to be it for the bills and the fact that

it's i mean as we saw it coming but the fact that it's the braves now just the mets just you know of course yeah all see the work mets phillies here we go terrible the mets are and the mets are more done than the phillies yeah one and again we did the whole like oh it doesn't matter who the winning streak was against like mets and that's maybe it does matter they're pretty bad the nets the nets are very bad especially like they if i like they're worse than the Diamondbacks. The Nats can't, the Phillies cannot lose another game against the Nats this year. One save left. Well, the Nats might not win another game.

They're horrendous. They are very, very, very bad. Extra bad. Very bad, yes. Also, they offered, like, Trey Turner six years, $100 million. Yeah, you gotta get it. The Nationals, you gotta. What's funny is the Nationals have

this long history of like undervaluing these guys and under like offering them and yet they give Strasburg the worst contract maybe in the history

of baseball when it's all said and done. Like dude, they're like in year one of that, seven years, 245, like didn't pitch this year,

looks like you might be moving forward. Like that is a all-time disaster contract. Well, and they're paying Corbin too. Yeah. The Corbin might be moving forward. Like, that is an all-time disaster contract. Well, and they're paying Corbin, too. Yeah. The Corbin one looks like nothing. It's 6-140. It's like, oh, we're three years through. That's great. They got this whole thing.

7-245. What a horrible contract that was. What a disaster. Win the World Series. Oh, Pace Frostberg. Whoops. Yeah. Hate to see that happen to that organization. Zach Wheeler is signed for two years less for half the money. Yes. Think about that.

Yeah. He's way better. It's truly beautiful. It's beautiful. It is beautiful. Yeah. It's the only beautiful thing. Yeah.

No, it's good to have a little bit of a raise on that. Yeah, you're right. At least the Nationals are stuck forever. Yeah, that's true. They have Juan Soto, but the fact that they traded Trey Turner at 27, 28 years old, what's the chances that they find a player as good as Trey Turner? Very, very low. And the fact that Soto's gone, right?

There's no way he resigns there when the time comes, and we're still years away from it. Unless they give him one of those big deals before and he buys out a few years of free agency and whatever, but hasn't done it yet, which says something to me. Yeah, well. Acuna did it. Tatis and Acuna, the worst contract ever.

Oh, his agent. Best for the team, but I think he fired his agent right after. Wow. Maybe I should have thought about that before I accepted it. Yeah, as Tatis gets three times the amount of money for essentially the same amount of years. Yeah. It's great.

Man, it was so fun. I know. It was so fun a week and a half ago. Like, just... So, all right. At fun a week and a half ago. I know. So, all right. At least we're on the West Coast. Yeah. At least I'm staying up until 1245 to watch them lose. It's great, buddy.

It's really good. As if I wasn't tired enough after my fish weekend, I felt like a zombie. And I'm like, oh, great. Now I get to stay up late. Well, the Phillies also. Were the Phillies in attendance at the fish concert? They would have done better there than they did when they, yeah. Yeah, but they also, that could contribute to them going and looking like they're dead

on the road. Yeah. Had a little too much fun at the Fish concert. Yeah. Let me put it this way. They got out from the Reds game and went straight down to Fish. Let me put it this way. This group of Phillies doesn't seem like a Fish crew.

No, they don't. I think they're more likely at like a, I don't know, it was a country guy, Toby Keith concert or something. Don't pick on Toby. I don't know any better. I'm just picking the name. Honestly, you know why I said Toby Keith is because we saw a billboard for him

on the way down to AC. Are you going to go to the Toby Keith concerts? No. Okay. Are you? No. You should. I don't do concerts.

What a loss. Only concert I go to see is John Beck. My last night on Earth, I would go to a concert. That would be my top choice for my last night on Earth. Really? Yeah, legitimately.

My favorite thing to do. You know what I would do? Favorite thing to thing to do. You know what I would do? Favorite thing to do. You don't know what I would do? Watch a Phillies game. I'll go watch the Phillies. And they'd probably lose. And that would be the perfect way to go.

That would be the most, last night on earth, Phillies game is the most guaranteed loss in the history of losses. For sure. All right. As we think about how fun that last day on earth will be with the Phillies loss. What a day. What a pod.

The positive vibes are flowing. You got anything in the take bag? Is there even a take bag right now? There is. Cause you know, I wanted to end this on a, on a semi positive note just cause I had some fun stuff in here. I thought,

I will say Jack, I will be completely honest. Never lie. I have listeners coming in. I was really, really, really not excited to talk about the Phillies. I really enjoyed talking to you. Yeah. It's made my world a little brighter. Even if the subject matter isn't great, this works.

When you're in person, it makes it easier. Yeah. Okay, so back to being fungal for a second. Ooh. So Jill's family is still in town at this point. It was Saturday? Saturday. But this is the week after, so Jill's family is still in town at this point. It was Saturday? Saturday. But this is the week after,

so it was not the Matt Moore. Right, right. We remember. The Roy Holiday thing and then this next weekend. So you're talking about last weekend? I'm talking about

the first day. The second day they were there was the Matt Moore start. Oh, I thought they were here for the Roy Holiday. No, no, no. Wait, no. Dude, they've been here

for a while. That's what I thought. You're throwing me off. You did the whole holiday thing last time. Were they here for two weeks? Sounds like it. Because the holiday thing was at least a week. If they're still here now, it's over a week.

Because a week would have been from the holiday, or I guess the Saturday before the holiday thing, until this Saturday, which is a week. Dude, yeah. Yeah. So, okay. So, hold on. So, Sunday was the holiday game.

Yeah. Then it was Dodgers-Rets. Okay, so the Dodgers game happened. That was Wednesday. They all came over to the house. This is just me talking my internal mind. You're remembering what happened, yes. Saturday was the-

We had a big week. You had the whole run. Okay, here's what happened. Here's what happened. Okay. Sunday was the NOLA start. Yes. So Sunday, it was their last day there.

So I went over and we had, in the morning, I was fun and snuck upstairs to watch the Phillies by myself. They found their way up and they found me. The kids or the whole family? Okay. And they sat down. How old, by the way? The boy is seven turning eight. Okay.

And the daughter is five. Okay. So they're little people. Yeah. And so it was kind of funny because I was sitting there and during the NOLA start, first off, got a little too mad at NOLA and he didn't understand why I was so mad at him. And I was like. Uncle Jack, why are you mad? I was like, he's just so frustrated.

I get that with Zoe where I'll do something and she'll be like, are you okay? I'm like, sorry. It's totally fine. Don't worry about it. So yeah, I get that. Yeah. And like, yeah. So, and yeah i was

with that face like i wasn't like that mad i was just kind of ranting to myself like why does he do this all the time when i need him to step up like why does he always let me down and he was like yep uncle jack like why are you so mad i was like don't worry about it it's just like it's been a long time he used to be good it would take me a while to explain this to you in a way that you would understand it. So don't worry. It boiled down. I was like, listen, used to be good, now bad, and now I'm mad that he's bad. Okay?

Anyway. I didn't really have an angry tone. I was more just a frustrated tone. But yeah. Not yelling at kids. No, I was not. So yeah, we're continuing watching the game. And so he started asking, all right, so what's happening here?

Like, how come the Phillies aren't batting right now? Oh, I like it. You're going to teach a little baseball. I love that. I was explaining the game to him. I can't wait until Zoe's old enough to, like, actually understand it. Yeah, are you going to have her watch the Phillies, though, or a different team?

So, Phillies, sadly. I've already come to this. Like, it's like one of those things where I could be a good dad and be like, here, pick a team you want to root for. The Yankees, they seem cool, or whatever. Pick someone who's perpetually going to compete and spend money and whatever. But no, I'm going to force her to live my misery.

It is what it is. It's just what it is. You're from Philly. You're rooting for the Phillies. It's what it is. It's what it is. Sorry. Very, very, very sorry.

Very sorry. But yeah, so I was explaining the game. Now go let this team break your rooting for the Phillies. It's what it is. Sorry. I'm very, very, very sorry. Go let this team break your heart for the next 30 years. I hope she's older than 30. I know. I don't know why I said that. You're thinking about your next 30 years. I don't have too many more past that. Start counting down the podcasts. I wear a month from 40 almost.

Start counting them down. Not excited for this birthday, buddy. Only a couple more podcasts left, pal. Definitely feeling old after the Fishery Game. I'll tell you that much. There's many reports of your feeling oldness as well. My legs hurt. Anyway,

so I was explaining the game, and it was cool because I was like, ah, I feel like I'm really connecting. I'm just trying to tell him how sport works. But then, like, the seventh, he's like, can we put a movie on? I was like, oh, no. And I said to him, very sorry, but absolutely not. At least they know it's my job.

At least they understand that. That is good. Yeah. So, yes, that was funny. But also what I thought was funny was that my niece was watching a little bit. And obviously didn't have any interest. But she did see The Fanatic. And she was like, it was the big, first off she said, what is that?

And I was like, we've all been there. Yeah, of course. And it was really the first time I really, I was like, oh, so that's why The Fanatic's there. Oh, yeah. So see, I was like, oh, so that's why the fanatic's there. Oh, yeah. So, see, I've seen this before. When you're at a game with a kid, and I haven't been so yet, but at a game with a kid, and they see the fanatic, the light in their eyes, it is special. There is something to that, for sure.

So, as the game went on, they kept saying, oh, where's the big green man? Nice, love it. Where's the big green man? Where's the big green man? Love it. Where's the big green man? Where's the big green man? I thought that was fun. That is good. I like that. Some fun stuff from the Funko there.

That's exactly right. Last night before the game, obviously with the Field of Dreams game that happened last Thursday, I was like, oh. They did a great job. What a great. Really cool.

Great idea. Executed great. The game played out great. Literally couldn't have asked for a better game. Like literally a game time, a lead and then a walk off. Like you can't ask for more. It was great. But yeah, so I was like, ah, I haven't seen Field of Dreams in a while.

Oh, I want to say like, of course they put it on the first game of the preseason for the NFL. But it was still the most watched regular season game for baseball in forever. So good for them. But yeah, so I haven't seen Field of Dreams since I was a kid. but it was still the most watched regular season game for baseball in forever so good for them but yeah so I haven't seen Field of Dreams since I was a kid watched it

before the game last night or two nights ago just a tremendous movie yeah it's been a while since I've seen it but definitely

a great still holds up and I did well up at the catch scene who doesn't how do you not I mean how could you not do you have a heart or not

that's what it comes down to it was a justifiable well up. I was like, you know what? That's called baseball. Righteous. It's a righteous well up. And then I also welled up in the ninth when the Phils did not score. Tyler Klippert.

So it was a big night of welling up. Cheers. Yes. Yes. What a fun night it's been. I would have rather watched Field of Dreams again. Yeah, me too, buddy. Me too.

There was a shot of DeeDee yawning at the first game, and I'm still not over it. I know you mentioned to me multiple times. I can't believe they're yawning in the dugout. That's just a problem. Put that on the video yearbook. Yeah, it's not great. The video yearbook is heading in a bad direction.

I know. I'm still going to. I can't wait for that. I can't wait. I love the video yearbook. I do think it's ridiculous. I like Ron's race a lot. Holy crap, man.

Alec Boehm has been hitting better recently. I would not like to completely bury a kid that we believe in to be the future. Well, Joe Girardi would, apparently. I know he's in the lab today. Was it six straight? Five straight? I think it was five straight. Five straight?

It's just like, what are we doing here? We're really going to bury one of our players to try to win a division that, you know, it's not like you're a good team. You just happen to win the worst division in baseball. Sweet. Congratulations. You know, why are we burying him for Ronald Torres? Yeah, I mean, honestly, like it's...

It's a defense, and I get that. No, I get it. I'm not... We all know why, but like, it's... It's a defense, and I get that. No, I get it. I'm not, we all know why, but, like, it's probably more valuable for him to play in the minors than this, right? Like, give him at-bats every day. Like, the bat's what matters. Like, keep developing that.

Like, sitting in five straight games as a pinch hitter or whatever, like, I mean, that's... What are we doing here? It's the first time I felt like they should, I mean, just send him down. Like, he's not that valuable as a pinch hitter late. He's just not. No.

He might get you a single or a double. He's certainly not anyone out of the park for you. No. Just send him down. Let him work down there for a little bit. The biggest problem with Boehm right now is his confidence is just completely shot. Shot. On both sides of the ball.

Yeah. And you see it with the way he just is right now. He's just not handling it well. So just set him down, and set him down, and if you want to play Torres, that's fine, but you can't ruin the rest of the guy's career and ruin his development because he's having a bad season. Yeah, look.

What are they going to do, trade him for a crap starter? Alec Boehm is more important to this team than making the playoffs this year is the way to look at it right and just bring up Mayton if you want

if you want to play Luke Williams you want to have those guys off the bench but like getting Boehm right is more important than making the playoffs

I agree I agree 100% on that I just it's just it's not sitting well with me that he's like either play him or send him down

yeah I agree 100% and the final thing is that did you see the Ken Rosenthal report yesterday? Which one? The $180 million is the new. Oh, yeah. So I didn't get to dive into it, but it looks like a new luxury tax and a new minimum is the idea. Yeah, so the floor, I think, is $100 million, which is good.

I think they should have a floor. Like, dude, teams like the Pirates and all that, like, that is an outrage to baseball, that these teams get this collective bargaining, spend $50 million or whatever it is in pocket money, like, an outrage. So, yes, I am all for salary floor, but the... So the idea, would it be a hard cap or no?

No, I still think it's... A new luxury taxi idea? Yeah, they would bump down the luxury tax to $180 million. I'm sure John Middleton's psyched. Might be a long off-season season if that's the case. Hopefully they well the penalties already weren't that much but they're nothing. It's three million dollars or whatever.

It's like pocket change for this guy. Like it's punitive. I get it. But you can get out of it. If I never heard the term luxury tax again it would be too soon. It's so awful.

It's just so awful. I mean, it's just the Phillies. It's the Phillies. Well, it's all baseball, though. I know. I know. But it's just so Phillies. Yeah.

It just feels very Phillies. It might be a long offseason. Awesome. Awesome. We might need to change the name of this podcast. Nope. High Hopes just doesn't seem to ring true as much as it used to. Let me just say this.

Everything's fine. You got any final thoughts, buddy? I don't. Yeah, I don't either. I don't. Let's go watch them win 14-2. Yeah, they're going to win today. It's going to be great.

Can't wait. And then they'll lose to the Padres or to the Rays at home or whatever. It's going to be great. What a fun pod this was. If they beat the Rays, though, we get Eric Neander. That's what the series is for. Yes, I like it. The Rays don't know that.

It's what it is. He stays. All right, go get Ne. The Rays don't know that. It's what it is. He stays. All right, go get Neander. Can we get back to that? Oh, my God. These friends themselves are still here.