High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Is The Regular Season Over Yet?

Episode Date: September 18, 2023

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

Another fact, so jump aboard the B.I.B. Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes. It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies on Odyssey and Sports Radio 94 WIP.

Odyssey and Sports Radio 94. WIP. Yo! It is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. You know, a whole edition. Two or three. The other teams are losing. The Cubs, literally.

I mean, we deserve all the credit in the world for that. If we're going to be honest about this, like, we did that pod, and it feels like the cubs have not won a game since we did that pod so you're welcome everyone i will say the most shocking thing that happened all weekend and and obviously you know two or three from the cardinals to be expected jack texted me after the saturday night game and said tomorrow is the stone coldest loss of all time, and it was in classic fashion. The most shocking thing that happened was that on Friday night, on a game that Aaron Nola started,

in a high hopes watch party night, that they actually won that baseball. It's the most shocking win of the season. Bases loaded 8th and 9th. It was like torture. I can't believe how you do it. Shout out to everyone who came. We had the freaking best time. Liberty Ground's amazing

place. Shout out to Miller Lite. Just an awesome, awesome time. I can't believe they won that game. Most shocking thing also. Yeah. It was funny. Until it wasn't funny. But it was funny looking back on it. Hindsight being 20-20. It was funny and like. Until it wasn't funny, yes. But it was funny looking back on it.

Hindsight being 20-20. It was funny watching everyone like collectively die inside. I know. You know what I mean? Where it's like, oh, they're not going to. Like everyone just had the same reaction. I was like, they're not really going to. And it's like, well.

Of course, yeah. Probably will. They probably will. They're going to make it excruciating. And yeah, it was shocking. They go up 4-0 in the first. It's like, oh, we can party tonight. We can kind of have the game on in the background

but still talk to people. And then in seventh inning on, it was like, this is a playoff game. This is the most important game of my life. And then, you know, Saturday, Workman's like, when? Saturday was like the most unfillies game of the season. It was like, just handle business. A little late, Dylan Covey's like,

hold on, guys. But no, I mean, 6-1. We never win games 6-1. Yeah. And yesterday, a workman's life lost. That was exactly what, yeah. So here's where I'm at right now with the Mils. Like,

Jordan Walker hit that ball 700 feet yesterday, and for the first time in a while, And, like, Jordan Walker hit that ball 700 feet yesterday. And for the first time in a while, and it's been a while, I felt nothing. I was just like, eh. I'm with you. All I wanted was two or three. I know the Cardinals are bad and a sweep would have been nice. They already got two or three. And, like, Jordan and Sir Anthony,

obviously like it's really important to get him right for the postseason, but he just hit it. And I was like, eh, they already took two or three. Like this, it would have been selfish to be like, go for a sweep and then go down to Atlanta.

Like, I just, yeah, it's, hey, hey, that's baseball. And I was like, I was really happy with the way they fought back.

You know what I mean? I was shocked. Honestly, I know that, you know, they always fight back. But for some reason, I just, when they were down 5-3, I was like, it's probably over. Well, and even when Boehm hit the home run, I was like, yeah, nice. I was saying that. By the way, I mean, that's got to be the furthest of his career. I mean, that's a smoke shot.

So, yeah, like, you know, it's, like, Fridaythest of his career. I mean, that's a smoke shot. So yeah, like, you know, it's like Friday was excruciating. Saturday was mostly fine. Sunday. I mean, there's just,

is there a pitcher in baseball better when they've already allowed five than Taiwan Walker? dude, it's like, he's fricking Cy Young. As soon as there's five runs on the board, he'll shut you down. As long as there's five runs on the board, he'll shut you down. As long as there's four runs.

As long as he spots you four. Yeah. After that, he's one of the best pitchers in baseball. Love to know his stats after already allowing four or five. Unbelievable. He's so good. He's so good after allowing five. Again, has to do that first before he's any good.

And they lost. And the Cardinals aren't very good. I don't know, man. Arenado was a freaking vacuum a lot yesterday where if there's any other third baseman over there, it's probably a different game. I don't know. Overall, it was a positive weekend for Phil's baseball.

I was glad that they had a tough series against the Braves, and then they go out, and it's on the road, you're back out there, and they kind of just did their job you know and that's all again we're we're a fan base we're a podcast we are a listeners that are i just i need it to end like i just need this these next two weeks are i just get me to the first playoff series yeah that's all that's where i'm at just be done with this. And the funny thing is, we would have killed for this series last year. Last year at this time, we were like,

just win a freaking series, guys. You're going to blow this. And instead, they're not playing great. They did lose 3-4 to Atlanta, but it's those other teams that are sitting there yelling at their teams. It's Cubs fans. It's the Reds fans, Marlins fans.

Like, what are we? Marlins had a good weekend. But you know what I mean? Like, Diamondbacks finally turn around. Like, it's watching those other teams kind of flounder. And we're like, all right, we're just kind of maintaining just enough to stay up top here. We live. We live for a flat line.

Dude, I'll take it, man. Go 500 the rest of the way. I'll be freaking ecstatic. Yeah. Best team in baseball ecstatic. Yeah. Best team in baseball. Totally. They've got 13 left, 6 and 7. Sure. Take it. Sign up for it right now. Go down to Atlanta.

Just win one. Yeah. Am I crazy to think that I'm more nervous about the Mets games than the Atlanta games now at this point? No, I don't think that's crazy. Because you know the Mets want to play. Spoiler. And Atlanta already clinched. Acuna's probably at least out for a game or two. Like, I don't know. The Mets are winning.

The Mets are, like, kind of fighting. Wow. And it's the Mets. The fighting Mets. I love that culture they're building up there. Oh, that's great. I'm just trying to think. Who do the Cubs have?

That's a good question. The Cubs are at home versus Pittsburgh. They should, you know should get back on track. But, yeah, like, again, it's a funny kind of time right now because you would think there would be all this talk about the Phillies and maybe they can do it. But I think the entire fan base is in the same mindset where it's like you're going to get in.

Like unless, again, you just completely fall on your face. It would have to be. They're essentially with the tiebreaker, what, like four up or five up? Four up, I think, with five on a playoff spot. Well, you said on the air they'd play the Dodgers in the second round. Yeah, we got that wrong, all right? We realized it quite quickly. I don't know if I can trust you on anything anymore.

That was a bad job. It was a terrible job. I admit it. It was it quite quickly. I don't know if I can trust you on anything anymore. That was a bad job. It was a terrible job. I admit it. It was a terrible job. But I think everyone's kind of in the same boat where they're a good team. They're staying above water. They're not totally collapsing, but they're not playing the most inspiring brand of baseball.

It's so easy. It's the easiest I've ever felt about how like determining how far a team can go it's very easy if sir anthony can get hot and some of the back end options can get hot they're they have a chance to go far if they don't it's gonna be it's gonna be a quick exit yeah if if ranger can can ascend and be your number two because i don't think we're gonna see that from Aaron Nola this year, they can have a little bit of a run.

It's like, those are the only, those are it. That's it. That's it. And it's not like, you can't break it down any simpler than that. Like, if those guys get hot, they're not hot right now, they can do some damage. But until you start, until you physically see it, it's hard to just sit here and be like, they're gonna do that.

No, totally. And look, Sir Anthony was like this last year. We forget. He really struggled until the very end, and then all of a sudden, the playoffs, he was awesome. He can do that. And I also think last year in and of itself kind of plays in how we feel this year in that last year, this time, we hated them. We were talking about them being losers.

Until the last series of the season, we were like a total group of losers, September again, and then they went on that run. So it's hard to, like, as much were like a total group of losers, September again, and then they went on that run. So it's hard to like, as much as you look at it and say, all right, this needs to be better, that needs to be better, it's also hard to forget how we felt this time last year and then what they did. So we know that that's possible too.

Depends who you talk to because there are people that are like, well, they were hot at the end of last year, and then it's like, well, I'm not sure you were watching. Are you sure about that, buddy? I'm not sure you're sure about that buddy i'm not sure you're watching yeah um so yeah it's last year has definitely clouded i think how uh i know how i thought about this year totally even when i want to do the meltdown stuff it's like well they're pretty they're fine like a bit i there's been periods where it feels like meltdown worthy totally but it's been more of a year of and they're fine totally no i agree which is i guess a sign of a good baseball

team and sign that maybe you know we're losing the edge a little bit but like even yesterday i saw some criticism of like and and maybe this just isn't paying attention but people are like how are you gonna put serenity in that spot it's like well how often pitch two days in a row you're not pitching in three days and you're had the lead you have in, how are you going to put Serenity in that spot? It's like, well, Hoffman pitched two days in a row. You're not pitching in three days and you have the lead you have in the wild card. You have to get him right, see eighth inning. And you've got to pitch him now! Who do you want him to turn to there? Do you want to go Alvarado there, who has also been okay?

Like, it's just like, I swear, man, it's just like people complain just to complain. Someone has to pitch, man. Unless you just like people complain just to complain. Like, it's just like, you have to, like, someone has to pitch, man. Yeah. Like, unless you're telling me you want Junior Marte in that spot over Sir Anthony, then I don't know what to tell you.

Yeah. So, but yeah, it's really, and I felt it coming in. I'm excited to talk about the Phillies, but I'm very, like, wake me up. Yeah. Like, wake me up for the first postseason game. I'm right there with you. And I think the city will get there. I just think that right now, it's been a long year.

They're outside of a major collapse. They're on in the background, but people aren't dialed in on every single pitch. Well, and the Eagles season just started. It's a fact of life. People are talking Eagles. The Eagles are struggling. There's a lot to talk about with the Eagles. It's what it is with Philadelphia.

We saw it last year in October where no one wanted to talk Eagles, and they were undefeated. Sometimes a team can kind of grab the city for a moment and because of what's happening where it's the Phillies, we're all like, yeah, they're going to make the playoffs. Wake me when the playoffs start. There's nothing else I need to know. There isn't intrigue for the division. There isn't really intrigue for

even positioning. They're almost definitely going to be the four seed. It's just like, all right, let's just get there. Yeah, and now, but the funniest part is, is that these next two weeks are going to kind of be a malaise. And then that first glove game. Oh, buddy, it's going to be the most intense thing that ever happened. There is no bigger switch in intensity from a regular season

to a postseason than in Major League Baseball. Again, we remember the end of last year, and then it was like, boom. It's like, oh, my, this is like, I want to. It, I want to, that first game on St. Louis was excruciating. Oh my God. Well, again, we hated this team until the Gene hit. Like, until the Gene hit, we were like, screw these guys. And then Gene got the hit, and it's like, let's go! Runs time!

Yes! That's all they do! Favorite team ever! Yep. And actually, yesterday was kind of, it felt just like game one of that series. Because Helsey came in and he almost hit Alec Boehm. And I was like, wow, I've seen that before. And obviously, the Jordan Walker home run was the one yet-passed home run all over again.

Yep, yep, yep. So, yeah. But, again, they just look more together this year. They're not playing great. And what has to happen is you have to hope that once they get the feel again and once they get in the ballpark again. Yeah, lift some up. Yeah, like August was such a run.

It was such a rush. It was such a high. I think it was natural to have a come-down month. Unfortunately, it's always September for this team. But once the playoffs start, I think, especially if it's at Sissons Bank Park, and it should be at Sissons Bank Park,

and if it's not, we'll obviously be despondent. But that's where we're in. Now it's go time. We've kind of took our foot off the gas for a month. Like now we get in and let's go do our jobs. And at least we know that this group knows what it takes to do that. You know, they literally just did it.

They know what they have to do. So yeah, look, it is, it's frustrating. It's like, all right, well, like, I don't really have anything to say. We all know what to say. Like Aaron Nola needs to be better. Really? 215-592-9494. All right, how about this?

So let's get to the playoff rotation because I don't think it's going to be any different, and I know whatever. Like, if it's me, I'm Wheeler, Suarez, Sanchez. That's my three. I'm not even kidding. Like, that's what I would roll. I mean, there's no way it happens, but Noah will be my fourth starter. Tom Walker,

watch the playoffs from home, buddy. Yeah, I mean, Tom Walker can enjoy the Kyle Gibson role. Like, absolutely not are you starting a playoff game. You need three outs in a playoff game. I don't know how this ends up happening. Maybe it's like... Dylan Covey. Dylan Covey or Tom Walker. I knew where you were going. I would take Dylan Covey.

That was my answer. Yes. doubt no doubt what a time 72 million what a time um by the way like sanga might want to say young and it's like oh sanga is awesome we said it we love that time when they they made it yeah it's a shame what can you do um but yeah so so the the playoff rotation thing is going to be really interesting. And I've actually bought way more into your theory of if you're up 1-0, if you're up 1-0, go Nola. If you're down 0-1, go Ranger. I think you have to.

But then you're walking into a 1-1 with Nola at Bonanza. I know, I know. If it were me, I'd go for Sanchez. Yeah, but they're not going to do that. No, they won't. But, like, that's what I would do. That's what I would do. I'd make Nola my four in the playoffs.

I don't know. I still think there's still something there with him. There can be. There can be. Of course there can be. I mean, look, he was pitching poorly, and then he threw the six and two-thirds perfect, and then he was great in St. Louis. Like, he does have a switch that can flip.

Yeah. It's just we've seen the switch flip so much less this season. Like, normally, like, you know, he still has the Aaron Nola stuff. That's where it all comes from. But he'll have stretches where, you know, he'll have ten starts in a row where he's one of the best pitchers in baseball. We've seen none of that. No, we haven't had that stretch.

We've had, like, two good starts in a row. Yeah, we barely had starts where he looks like that. Yeah. You know? Yeah. I mean, it's been a disaster. But he still has that chance to go out. And the shame of it is, and I still don't believe the Phillies when they say,

like, Tywin Walker would start in an LDS, whatever, if they make it through. Like, Chris Sanchez has to start that game. But it's just, it has to be the pedigree of Chris Sanchez, where they just don't trust him. Of course it is. And it's a $72 million. Whether we like it or not, that is a factor in their decision making. It is.

They paid the guy $72 million. He's here for three more years. I hate it, but that plays a role. I do wonder if they find a way to get out from under this offseason. If they put a prospect with way to get out from under this offseason. If they put a prospect. They can attach him to something. Attach a prospect with it to get out from it. And if you can free up that money and try to sign the Japanese starter for next year.

Yamamoto, he's nasty. He's unbelievable. Dude. The wins are fine. The whole idea of, well, they score from. Yeah, because they have to. Because they have a choice. Because they're going to lose. They go out every time he's on the mound of like, well, they score from, yeah, because they have to, because they have a choice. Yeah.

Cause they're going to lose. They go out every time he's on the mound being like, all right, boys. Yeah. We need sex. Need to score today. We need sex.

I do wonder like what level of prospect to be willing to attach to, to get out from under it and like just sign someone else. Use that money elsewhere. Cause if it's this, if, if it's this iffy right now, what does that look like in three, in two years? Yeah. What's it look like next year? Yeah. What's it look like at the end of that contract? It's, it's this iffy right now, what does that look like in two years? What does it look like next year?

What does it look like at the end of that contract? He's just an annoying pitcher to watch. I just don't want to watch him. I think if I can boil it down to as simple as this, don't want to watch a pitch. Splitter's not even close. Again, every out looks like it's by accident. And then after you allow four, then it's like, oh,

Tyron Walker pitches to the seventh. That's valuable. But I don't need to pay an innings eater. I'll sign Jordan Miles. Yeah. That would be. Disaster. But I'm not paying him $72 million.

Right. I'm not paying a guy $72 million to be an innings eater. i'm not paying him 72 million right like it just i'm not paying a guy 72 million to be to be an innings eater like i'm not doing that so i do wonder this offseason like they whiffed there uh i've actually had a couple whiffs like uh rodolfo was a huge whiff big like a mass i mean granted they gave up bailey falter so like i'm not freaking out too much but it's a whiff well and they're worried about his 2024 option, so they won't bring in Weston Wilson. Which is crazy. Dude hit.

He gave him a chance. It was like a nice little run there. Yeah, I mean, sort of. It wasn't great, but at least he had... I mean, you cried. Yeah, it was a moment, man. Yeah, it was a huge moment. His dad's crying. Selton's crying.

His family in the crowd. Come on. And then Lorenzen threw a no-hitter. What a beautiful thing. And then his season was over. Yeah, I know. Isn't that great? Bring me back to August.

I know. You're on fire. Everyone wanted to talk about him. A glorious time, August. It was a great time. It really was. And now it's like,

again, I don't know what these next two weeks are going to be. Like, until they clinch, it's just going to be like, win one, lose one.

I'm not expecting like a big run. You know what I mean? Like, I'm just expecting like, I'm expecting to kind of just be the exact same as last year, like 87 wins. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

We'll die for 90. Dude, just get me to 89. I don't even care about 90. I just want 89. I just want 89. Just get me to 89. Can I go eight and five the left? Probably not.

Yeah. Well, you should be able to. You could. Could. Will they? Probably not. Big if, yeah. I mean, you know, they don't need to, so.

Yeah. I don't know. So, yeah, it's just going to be, because August was just, it was magical. And then now it's just like, again, it's just a dead time. It's like May. You know what I mean? Mm-hmm. Like, May is, I feel like, the dead part of the early season.

Maybe June. I don't know. Sure. No, June, I feel like, so it's ramping up a little bit. I feel like end of May, beginning of June, you could say. Yeah, it's like, did they lose? Oh, well. It has flown by, though.

It has. I know it's 162, and people are like, oh, it's such a grind. I don't know. I mean, I do forget everything. I don't remember a game in May. Yeah. Harper's Return. Yeah.

I have vague memories of that happening. Definitely don't remember who they were playing or the game. Dodgers? No. Yeah. Harper's Return. I have vague memories of that happening. Definitely don't remember who they were playing or the game. Dodgers? No. I think we predicted it would be the Dodgers. We predicted it would be the Dodgers. He was back in May and it was like a month early. And yeah, it's just it's gone by pretty fast for

162 games. Yeah. No, I think that's fair. I think that's fair. All right. Here's a question for you. Okay. More annoying bit. Mm. Okay.

Okay. I'm going to give you two options. Well, Taiwan has a new bit, by the way. Oh, he does? Yeah. Well, we've talked about the whole podcast, but. Oh, he's about the being good. Yeah, yeah.

That's a good. All right. More annoying bit. The JT Home Road bit or the Nick Castellanos even odd month bit so for those who don't know in case you haven't looked at it Castellanos it is wild like April like an 860 OPS

May it's like 6 something June it's like 9 something the next month it's like 4 something the next month it's like 8 something like he has literally gone month versus month and now he's in a bad month and he's been horrible. Let's hope this continues and then October he can carry the team.

What's the more annoying bit? I have a bit to one-up you. Oh, good. Love that. And it actually involves both of those players. Which makes it even better. Of course you do. Hey fantasy football owners, the road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now.

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or wherever you get your podcasts. Who is Which I don't know how to word it totally, but I got two statements. I've never seen a player more excited to ground into a double play than Cassianos. You just can't wait. He can't wait. He gets right up there first pitch, right into the ground.

Like, this is going to be the dumbest baseball-related thing I've said in the history of this podcast. Wow. Because I say dumb things, but usually baseball, it's like, eh, kind of makes sense. It's fair. Like, I don't understand. If the ball is tailing in, just don't swing at it.

I know you have a millisecond to react and make a swing decision, but just don't. Just don't swing at it because it is just going to be drilled into the ground. That's good advice. Just drilled into the ground. It's like, oh, Castellanos is up. There's runners on first and second, one out. Wonder what happens here.

Logging in. Oh, ground ball to third base, and here's a double play. Groundellanos is up. There's runners on first and second, one out. Wonder what happens here. Logging in. Oh, ground ball to third base, and here's a double play. Ground ball to shortstop. Yeah. And he has a total bailout. It's just like he's so excited. Yeah. It's always the first pitch.

It's always the first pitch. Oh, here I'm going to do some damage here. Bang, right into the ground. Again, new rule. Tailing in, don't swing. That's a good rule. How's that? I like it.

Yeah, take that advice, Kevin Long. There you go. And then the other one is just like, like, every time there's two outs, base is loaded, or like, Oh, the JT comes up I mean it's unbelievable it's 0-2 and then swing strike three

like just again the clutch gene on JT is lacking I would say I mean again game one of the world series is probably the most shocking thing that happened like you look back at it that home run but it's only because no one's on base that's my theory you're right but still it's still run... But it's only because no one's on base. That's my theory.

You're right. You're right, but still. It's still shocking. I believe he's batting 160th for his scoring position. Oh, is that good? Is that bad? I believe it's bad. Is that not what you want?

It's just like... Is that not what you want? I mean, again, I don't know which is more frustrating. JT in a big spot late in the game, strikeout,

or Nick Castellanos eager to ground into a double play. They're both incredibly frustrating. But at the same time, they're frustrating, but it's like, eh, feels like home. Nick get that home run.

No, but it's like, the consistency is what I appreciate. Oh, you're saying you appreciate it. Yeah, I appreciate it. You know it's coming. Exactly right. Unless you're just ready for it. Yes, yes. Again, I've watched so much Phil's coming. Exactly right. Unless you're just ready for it. Yes, yes. Like, why even? Again, I've watched so much Phil's baseball. I just don't really get my hopes up.

You ever watch so much that, like, when they do something out of the ordinary, it's shocking to you? Oh, totally. Like, I think that's where, especially us, like, our listeners, you and I, where it's like, if JT gets a big hit with the bases loaded, it's like, no way. Oh, my God. Totally. But when he strikes out, I don't get mad anymore.

It's expected. Anything out of the ordinary, it's like, oh, it's like them winning 6-1 on Saturday. I was like, what? This doesn't happen. We just get to kick our feet up and relax. Dude, it was them winning freaking 12 games on the road. Oh, I know. I know.

But that wasn't a 13? Did they get to 13? I on the road. Oh, I know. I know, but that wasn't 13? Did they get to 13? I don't know. It was a lot. It was more than I've ever expected in my entire life. I forgot about that one. It was so... Again, to the point of forgetting what happened. That was this season.

I forgot all about it. Dude, of course. They swept the race. That was hilarious. They swept the race. All right, hold on. So two outs of Ron in scoring position. He's batting 192, which is damn near shocking.

Late and close, he's batting 203. This is getting better. Late and close. Ooh, high leverage spots, batting 204. Oh, my God. Low leverage, he's batting 326. Oh, that is hilarious, though. Like, that is just in a nutshell.

That is so perfect. Yeah, yeah, it's something. Like that is just in a nutshell. That is so perfect. Yeah, yeah. It's something. It's certainly something. But yeah, they're just, again, we talk about it a lot. The amount of bits this team has is just out of control. Honestly, it's very, very, very out of control. It's actually getting hard to believe that they keep coming up with them.

Question for you. Oh, speaking of other bits. Yes. Have you noticed, so Kruk had the all-time. That was great. It was hilarious. It was hilarious. It was hilarious.

But, like, he's also had a bit of, like, calling home runs. And it's almost always Schwarber, I feel like, too. I feel like him and Schwarber have, like, a thing going on. I think it's a good feel for Harper, too. He does. You're right. You're right. But I feel like with Schwarber, he's done, like, he's had a couple of them this year.

Yeah, for sure. So that's another. The Kruk, Nostradamus crook is a good one that's developing along the way we still haven't talked about the biggest news

of the weekend I'm assuming you saw it little promotion Ryan Kirk green to triple A why wouldn't they bring him up in all seriousness

like why why wouldn't you because I think they want to see how he does with the balls in triple A and I think they want to see how he does with the balls in AAA. I think he's the automated strike zone down there. Maybe they want to see how he does in the strike zone. I mean, it's not an automated strike zone in the majors.

I don't know. I don't know. Let's see how he does against, I don't know. Just bring him up. What are we doing here? It seems like you want to see a Ryan Kirk. I want to see a guy get out. Yeah, what a crazy thought.

Yeah. You know, yeah. I want to have some confidence when a reliever comes in the game late in the game. But yeah, I guess, so, I mean, they're going to have like almost no sample size. If they, like, if they wanted to try him on the playoff roster. That's what I'm saying. Why wouldn't you brought him up? Like, give him a chance.

What the hell else are you doing? So, I wonder if, I wonder if they're, this is a dangerous game, but they've been like. Trying to hide him? No, no, no. They've been so like, and I appreciate it because the mindset of the team, but they've been like really confident all year they're going to make the playoffs. I know, yeah. Had they not made it last year, I'd be like, can you guys just stop doing this?

Stop talking like you're going to make the playoffs. But I wonder if they're willing to clinch. And then so he's not in like. Pressure situation or whatever. Because the playoffs won't be pressure. No, there's no pressure in the playoffs. Why not find out if he can, you know. If he can handle it.

No pressure situation. Well, the thing is, is that if, again, if Belotti or Junior Marte are pitching. Back to Junior, huh? I know. If they're pitching in like like, leveraged spots, it's probably not the best sign regardless. So he's kind of coming up to, like, be a semi-model. He's brought to really keep the game close if they're down by two

or one or whatever. Yeah, it's interesting. I was surprised it was just AAA. Maybe they're not going to ring out this year. I mean, at this point, I don't know that they – I mean, like, I wouldn't bet on it. Yeah. But it just, I don't know why you wouldn't. At least you've got a shot. See what you guys got.

I assume they know more than we do. Do you? You think so? I would assume that they'd be like, I mean, he's been really good, so I am surprised. But there's got to be something they're like, eh, I don't know. We'll see what happens. Alright, take back in a sec.

Shout out to the Miller Lite Bar of the Week. This week it's Timothy's in Lionville, our Miller Lite Bar of the Week, Timothy's in Lionville, where you can watch all Philly's games with a $3 Miller Lite pint special. It's a great deal. Go to mytimothysrestaurants.com. Shout out to Miller Lite. We love Miller Lite. All right.

Take back, Frenzy. All right. I guess I should get up to take back. Yeah, Miller Lite. All right, take back, Frenzy. All right. I guess I should get up to take back. Yeah, it usually helps with doing the take back. It's usually this time. It's usually a way to do it. It's usually this time. Yeah.

Oh, obviously, first thing to take back. I'm so freaking happy that it seems like Charlie's trending in the right direction. Yeah, we should have. That's a bad job, but yes. Thank you for bringing that. Yeah. That was devastating. Oh, it was crushing. On for bringing that. Yeah. That was devastating news. Oh, it was crushing.

On Saturday, was it? Saturday. Yeah, Saturday. That was devastating news. And then we get the positive update. Seems like he's doing much better. I mean, we all love him.

We need Chuck around. We just love him. He's just the most wonderful guy. And he is that way. We've gotten to meet Charlie. He seems like everybody's grandpa. He seems like the nice... He's actually that. He actually is that way. Like, you know, we've gotten to meet Charlie. He is, he seems like everybody's grandpa. He seems like the nice,

he's actually that. Like, he actually is that. I know, I'm sure I've told this before, but like, Zoe's first game, he sent me a video like saying,

Zoe, I hope you have such a great time at your first base. Like, he likes, he's just a good human being. Yes. And obviously important to us as Phillies fans.

Yeah, needs to be around for a long time. So, I was glad to see Charlie, you you know trending in the right direction hopefully continues to trend in the right direction and and get back on his feet soon um watching you at high hopes night was interesting oh yeah but late on me i was pretty tired i mean you had to sit down i did but that was very late in the evening for what it's worth. I was like once, you know, I was kind of thinning out a little bit. Yeah. I sat down for a few minutes.

Yeah. And you were just looking longingly at the broadcast. I know. I was pretty tired. Yeah, me too. The Eagles game the night before. Well, thank God it was the longest game of the season. Of course it was.

Of course. A 5-4 game in the last three and a half hours. Of course. I'm so happy. I'm so happy watching Greg Kimbrell walk three straight batters. Like, come on, man. I'm riding to the same thing. Come on, man.

Yeah. Like, again, if they can just go. There's enough talent in that bullpen. Absolutely. Just. Throw strikes. Do it. Go on, throw strikes, guys.

Again. Yes. No one gives more high-level analysis of the Phillies than us. Our analysis of the Phillies right now is like, just do it. Figure it out. Hey, don't suck. Hey, hey, don't swing at that pitch. Hey, wait, if it's curving in, don't swing at it.

Throw strikes. There we go. That's basically all my pitching coaches told me growing up. Honestly, you know, that is what coaching comes out, throw strikes. There's nothing worse. There's nothing worse or more annoying than you're on the mound struggling.

And the pitching coach comes out. Thanks, dude. The pitching coach comes out, hey, get strike one. Nailed it. Oh, I'm trying. Thanks, man. Believe it or not. I was trying to throw a ball, but now I'll try and throw a strike. Thank you. Thank you so much for the deep thought. I'm just going to get out in front of this one. Oh, good. That's always a good thing when people are getting out in front of this one oh good that's always a good thing

when people are getting out in front of things although they are collapsing in front of our eyes I have never I don't think I don't think I've ever seen the Phillies like do well against the type of pitcher

Justin Steele is oh yeah the lefty with the slower shot. Like 92. Oh, never. It's the Tom Eshelman thing. We've talked about this a million times. No, you know who it is. You know who's ruined?

You know where this all started from was they could never hit Jaime Garcia. Sure. They couldn't. You're right. Absolutely. Jaime Garcia owned the Phillies. And I've just, like, the overpowering lefty, they do all right. It's the 92 with, like, a heavy fastball.

I'm sorry to bring the name up, but the John Lannans of the world. Well, I would think I would rather go Lester. Like, Lannan, by the way, former Phil great, broke out his hand, calls him an MVP. The Justin Steele seven innings of one-run baseball here would break my soul. Also, again,

this is getting, I don't want to be morbid because they are in a good spot, but if the Marlins happen to come here and win a playoff I don't think I could. They're the team I want to play the least, easily. And they're not the best of the team. I want anything to do with it.

I could excuse away almost every other team. Losing to the Marlins here would, again, I can't do it. Eagles lose two straight to the Cowboys this year, or the Marlins come in here. I'm not losing the Marlins here. Nope. The Marlins are not coming here and winning a playoff series.

I would rather die than the Marlins come in here and win a playoff series. Would not. Can't do it. Can't do it. Nope. Won't do it. Nope. Question for you.

Would you rather face— I am actually afraid of the Diamondbacks. Well, that's what I was about to ask you, and this is obviously— and Justin Steele has been great this year. Don't get me wrong. He's actually a sign. But would you rather face Justin Steele or Zach Gallin in a playoff game?

Justin Steele. No, no, no. Hold on. I'd rather face Zach Gallin. I'd rather face Zach Gallin. I'd rather face Zach Gallin. Here's how I'd rank him. Justin Steele, most afraid.

One. Merrill Kelly, two. Oh, over Gallin. They never hit Merrill Kelly. He's so annoying. I've never seen the Phillies hit Merrill Kelly too oh over Gallen they never hit Merrill Kelly I've never he's so annoying I've never seen the Phillies hit Merrill Kelly and he looks like that actor

from How I Met Your Mother he does and then Zach Gallen like Zach Gallen I feel pretty confident against I love it because he's a Philly guy yeah

it's true he's a Philly guy he'd give us one he'd give us one that's totally what happens in playoff series Chaz McCormick gave us one, right? Yeah, well, don't bring that up.

Justin Steele terrifies me, though. I agree. The Aiden Miller homer I've watched. So, inside baseball, we were at the IOPs event, and we're just talking to people and then all of a sudden Jack slams me on my arm. Like, whoa, whoa. And I'm like, oh, my God, did something major just happen? Like, what happened?

He goes, Aiden Miller, his first time around. I was like, okay. I'm really excited. That was way more than I expected for that. I've been waiting for it. I've been waiting for it. Because he's hitting really well. He's hitting really well.

420 feet. 420 feet. Absolute tank shot. He went and got it, too. It was such a worth kind of swing worth and ryan braun are my two swing comps for for adan miller so love it no pressure yeah low low bar yeah clear there yes yeah um this might sound like gatekeeping but i promise it's not okay we have had issues we've had issues with it would not be the first time it's not it's just

i guess it just doesn't compute in my head. And I know it's going to sound fraudulent because I was not watching the game at that point either. So yesterday was a big restaurant festival in Westchester, and we wanted to take Walker up and walked her up. Of course, she's walking from a nap in the middle of the Phillies game. It's like, well, can you have a clutch, Gene? Like, you're less clutch. Like JT right there. You're less clutch right now than Taiwan.

Of the two walkers. Of the walkers. Of the walkers. Taiwan's currently Taiwan. Of the two walkers. Of the walkers. Taiwan's currently winning. It's a tough break. It is a tough break. But we're walking up through town, and it's like so much Philz gear. And it's like, well, the game's on.

Do people that. I see what you're getting at. So you're telling me that people. You kind of don't disagree with this. You're telling me that people wear Philz's gear and they don't watch the games? That's a pretty fair point right here. I'm not going to lie with you. It's not gatekeeping.

This is just an observation. Well, it's more like I was like, oh, this is kind of disappointing. Kind of weird. How are you wearing that out? I have a chance to sweep the Cardinals today. Now I'm watching. Now they're probably saying the same to me. Because I was wearing Phil's hat.

This is a bit of a hypocrisy within this. Total hypocrisy. But I agree with you. Yeah, I was just like, there's a lot of Phil's gear for not watching the game. How are you wearing that jersey? I think it's a great take. You don't have to lump yourself in,

but it's a great take. Yeah, I know. I'm right there with him. Big old fraud friends. Bunch of frauds out. Bunch of frauds not watching the game. I was like, wow. I love that you thought of other people

as being a fraud for doing exactly what you were doing. It's just the best. Thank you. Also, I was at an event on Saturday and people were wearing Phil's stuff. I really just wanted to get a gauge of where everyone was at. So I'd just be like, how do you feel about the Phil's?

There's a lot of like, they'll get it and be fine. You know? And a lot of like, I don't know, just, it was, I just want to get a little temperature for the fan base. Not a lot of people locked in on the Phils. People were not happy with the Eagles offense. Refreshing. Refreshing.

A new original take. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And my final thing I take back. I'm pretty proud of this one.

Ooh. Because I'm calling my shot here. Okay. Good. I think Jeff Hoffman is about to go on a 2021 Tyler Matzik. Wow. Kind of run here. Wow. And Tyler Matzik, who's stunk forever.

Yeah, his whole career. Also a former Rocky. Just turned into the best pitcher in the world. For like a month. I think Hoffman has a chance to go on a Matzik kind of run. Wow, I love that. And if he does, I'll see everyone on Broad Street. Oh, I mean, he'll be a legend here forever.

Like, he just comes in now. Yeah. Even on Friday. It was like, well, that was incredibly easy. I mean, that's the crazy thing is he's the Phillies reliever that I know I, I think we all feel most confident right now. Like, that's crazy. It's a crazy thing to say.

It reminds me so much of the Matzik thing. Yeah. Where it's like, I know this guy's been bad forever, but his stuff is nasty. And he just figured it out for like a two-month stretch. Yeah. But he's been good for a while now, Hoffman. Like, it's like pretty much all season when they've called it. Like, he's been not this good, but he's been solid, you know?

Now, even when he's solid, there's a lot more walks. Yeah. Like, now it's just like bang, bang. No, when he's solid there's a lot more walks yeah like now it's just like bang bang no now he's yeah also if jose alvarado can just get back to the mindset of strike one strike two strikes yes of all the people of all the advice we're given just throw strikes like you the most jose you're the one yeah and there's freaking strikes there's a great dude at high hopes like wearing the the shirt yeah jose alado wore. And I was like, remember that? Yeah.

That thing was cool. A little dicey in the night. But little. Love the face. It was not. For a regular season game against a bad Cardinals team, the hard reactions and stuff felt like a playoff game. It did.

Yeah. Oh, it was great. The High Hopes listeners weren't in playoff mode. They were amazing. The High Hopes listeners, that was the best part of the whole night, the best part of the whole weekend. And it's always the best part. There is nothing more fun than hanging out with High Hopes listeners, which reminds me,

Saturday. Saturday. Come to the Philz game. Philz Mets, we're going to be there at 2.30, I guess, right? Well, 2.35, technically. 2.35, we'll be there. Because everything in baseball can't just be 7. It has to be 7.05.

I know. So it'll be 2.35. We'll start at 2.37. Yeah, right on time. Yeah, exactly. We'll be there at 2.30. We'll be there at 2.30. We'll be there at 2.15.

We'll probably be there at 2 o'clock. Who the hell knows? But we'll be at the Miller Lite Liberty Landing for a while before the game. Hanging for the game. We'll be there at all game. Coming out. We're giving away tickets on WIP this week. Try winning that way.

But otherwise, just buy tickets and come hang out. It's going to be awesome. Yeah, it could be Clinch Day. It could be Clinch Day. Could be. Who's to say it's not? Who's going to be awesome. It could be Clinch Day. It could be Clinch Day. Could be. Who's to say it's not? Who's to say it's not? As of now, we're saying it's Clinch Day. If it's Clinch Day at High House Night, and then they lose. That's the most likely outcome.

Are you excited for Rollin' Night on Friday? Am I excited for what? Rollin' Night. Is it Friday? Is he going to be there? I don't think he is, right? He's not coming. No, he's going to be there. Is he? That's why they had to move it. Because, of course. Because he going to be there? I don't think he is, right? He's not coming. No, he's going to be there. Is he? That's why they had to move it. Oh, because of course.

Because he couldn't be there for the... Yes. He's really excited about it. Yeah. Unbelievable. Do you think when he got the... He's like, really? He's like, is this a prank?

Yeah. Wait. Who's mastermind? Yeah, yeah. He's like, wait, I was a Philly? Yeah. It's like, why was a philly yeah it's like why again why again do i need to go on the rant again no but it's just can you please you don't have to put someone in there you don't have to sell tickets no you're fine it's gonna be a sellout there's been 30 they've

had like 40 crowds this year over 40 000 like every night's been pretty much 35 000 plus plus, besides, like, the Brave series, for some reason, there was 27,000. We got this, all right? Like, there's going to be people in the ballpark, and no one wants to see Scott Rowland. Nobody. There will not be, like, maybe his family if they're there, and they probably aren't coming. Like, no one wants him in.

No one is excited about this. No one is like, yay, finally, Scott Rowland on the wall of fame. We did it. We did it. Why is Constantine not on there, but Rowland is? Great point. Thank you. Seriously.

Seriously. Oh, and speaking of odd decisions by the Phillies, the Astros clinched a playoff spot or whatever in Seattle over the weekend. Nothing on the scoreboard. So it's not Major League Baseball. That is good to know. Because maybe Major League Baseball. That is good to know because there was a, maybe Major League Baseball

forced them to do it. Yeah. They didn't. Well, at least we're clear. They chose to congratulate the Braves. That's outstanding. Really great stuff. But here's my spin zone.

Did it for motivation. I like that. Yeah. So their players could see it up there? Correct. Okay. If that's the case. How's that?

Thumbs up. How's that? Because I could see you start bubbling inside. I was about to get annoyed by it. You know me. You know the things that set me off. I was about to be set off. Did I calm you down? You did. Thank you. That's my goal. Now if it's not true, yes, if they come out and get blues

in the wildcard round, yeah. I need the DS. Oh, they have to win that. It's going to be here. No, no. I need the wildcard. I'm talking about Braceville have to win that. It's going to be here. I mean. No, no. I need the wild card. I'm talking about Braceville.

Oh, yeah. Well, that's what's going to happen. We are. It's like it's trending towards a nice pocket here sports hate. You know what I mean? Brace aren't going anywhere. Yeah. Fills are pretty well built.

Like the 07 to 11 Mets. I hate them. My least favorite team of all time Of course But we didn't see them in the playoffs No we didn't You're right That's a great point You know what I mean

Yeah There's a chance here If they do their part They do their part There's a chance here I love this There's nothing like a good old Like it's been a while

Yeah sports tape baby Give it to me Like I know people still do The Cowboys Eagles thing I know you Cowboys suck blah blah blah like whatever yes whatever it's just oh that's what i want to bring up oh good i'm happy i remember i'm just gonna keep ranting i love this this is all this is what happens

the other podcast i've streamed yes it does that's right but no okay so sports it's great and like the cowboys thing i think is a little antiquated. Whatever. I feel like the Braves thing is real. I let out a Go Birds on Saturday. What? I know. It was only because I was trying to like, I was like selling something. So like. Explain it however you want.

I was being a positive vibes guy. Welcome aboard, buddy. I was like, yeah, Go Birds. Go Birds. Yeah. Well said. But then someone said it to me. Someone said it to me yesterday when I was leaving.

And you were like having fun. I was leaving a place and I was like, yeah, I know. That's hilarious. I forget. He's like, he's a guy, man, and go birds. And I was like, I got you. Something like that. That's really good.

Yeah. And if I initiate the go birds I'm fine I don't respond well when someone go birds I get that you don't want

don't tell me what to say yeah exactly I get that that's the best argument against you made yet yeah and it bothers me that it's like oh go birds

is there a new is there a new hi how you doing that's a Philly thing like relax it hasn't been my whole whatever

don't get going on I will. Don't get going on it. I will not. Don't get going on it. I'll do my best. I'm with you. Atlanta sucks. How about that? Thank you.

Is that good? Finally a movement we can all get behind. I can't stand them. And there is nothing worse than baseball and the stupid chop. I can't believe it still happens. And I want Strider here again. I want Strider here again. Dude, this is ramping up in two weeks, man.

I know. Which one's there? Who is it? The second, third, and fourth? Or third, fourth, and is ramping up in two weeks, man. I know. Which one's there? Who is it? The second, third, and fourth? Or third, fourth, and fifth? Like, that's it. I know this whole podcast has been more of like a laid back, like, eh. You know?

Playoffs. When they get in, I just, it ramps way back up. Oh, yeah, buddy. No more sleep for your boy. Late nights at the ballpark. I can't wait. I can't freaking wait. All right.

Any final thoughts? I guess that was the one. Do I have any other stream of consciousness thoughts? Oh. I thought Ranger's really good on Saturday. I did, too. I know he walks on people, but it looked closer to Ranger. Yeah.

I agree with you. It was dotting both sides of the player i've been getting this all the time even when he struggled like i i just i'm gonna trust him until until he doesn't do well in a playoff start and i know he didn't do on the first against the braves last year but it was like a bunch of time off and all that oh i just trust the guy yeah and there's been a lot of like well you know and maybe they're just not watching oh well just put ranger in the bullpen like he's the second best starter what are we talking about are you crazy?

It's like, well, you can transition. I don't care if he transitions well. I need him to start a game for me. Insanity. Like, stop it. He's not going to the bullpen. No. Second best starter.

Yeah, no. He is, again, Tim and Wheeler are the only two people I feel confident in. So, yeah, I'm right there with you. It's Angie. It's Angie. I love him. I love him. I'm with you.

I just know they're not putting him in the wild card. They are not. All right. So, Bra, I'm right there with you. And I'm with Sanji. Sanji! I love him. I love him. I'm with you. I just know they're not putting him in the wild card. Yep, they are not. All right. So, Braves this week, is it a three-gamer or a four-gamer? It's a three-gamer. Three-gamer. All right, so we'll be back later in the week. React to that.

Just take one. Just take one. One of three. That's all we need. I'm not asking for the world. I'm not asking for the moon. Just take one. Just one.

Just give me a six and six road trip. Or a three and three road trip. That's right. Or a three and three road trip. That's right. All right, take one. He spreads himself. We'll see you next time.