High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Is This Pitching Staff Better Than The 2011 Phillies?

Episode Date: April 18, 2024

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz discuss the Phillies sweep of the Rockies and just how dominant the team's pitching staff has been to start the season. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

Another fact, so jump aboard the 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. W.I.P.

Yo. It is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes Podcast, of course, is sponsored by Miller Lite, the official sponsor of the Philadelphia Phillies. Tastes like Miller time, Philadelphia. Celebrate responsibly. We sweeped them, buddy! Yes! We get to record like a real happy podcast.

What a thrill. They swept the Rockies. We did it. Welcome to the season. I know. Welcome to the season. No, I'm so proud of them. They didn't make any game nervous. They handled it well. Gregory's not. Actually, they were all nervous. Well, I'm so proud of them. They didn't make any game nervous. They handled it well.

Gregory, actually, they were all nervous. Game one was infuriating. Honestly, they barely squeaked by the Rockies. No, game two was great. Game two was great. Game two, they handled business. Game two. I mean, game three should have been great.

It was great, except for one terrifying inning. Exactly. I mean, it was a stressful 30 minutes there for all of us. Are you kidding me? Like, you know, I have my two TVs going and it was, it was a rough stretch

there for a little bit. So I was, I was obviously at home and I had to do Philly's post game. So I was sitting there, I was watching the Phillies, but I was like,

listen, it's 7-1. They're not going to make this stressful. It's a big Sixers game. It actually matters. Sixers were crumbling in front of our eyes. Same old Sixers. There we go.

And then figured it out and went on a run and bricking for chicken and Batum. It was great. And then I was like, and then I don't know what happened the last five minutes of the Sixers game. I was so mad. I was so mad. I was like, they're going to blow it.

They're going to blow it. They're going to blow it. They're going to blow it. So it was a nice, stress-free, never a doubt, three-game sweep over the Rockies. Handle business. Hey, that's what this team does. They do. I mean, if you look at whether 9-4 in the month. I guess so, yeah.

Well, they're 11-8 overall, so no. No, not even close. No, not even close. So what did they go? 1-2 in March, probably? 1-2 overall. So, no. No, not even close. No, not even close. So, what did they go? 1-2 in March, probably? 1-2 in March because that was the Brave Series. Yeah. So, that would be some quick math here.

So, they're 11-8. 10-6. So, yes, 10-6. That's pretty good. 10-7. No, 10-6. That was right. Yeah, 10-6.

All right. So, 10-6. You're crushing math. Yeah, never doubt. I'm sold. I wasn't going to do any. Is the 17-win month still on the table? Hey, look, we said 5-1 this week.

Pretty good start. And shockingly, somehow, a worse team is coming in this weekend. So that is hard to believe. But Dino is pitching Friday. Is it Garrett Crochet? Yeah, he's good. He's pretty good. Yeah, he's like the one thing they have going for him right now. And they definitely drafted him because they were like, oh, this

is Chris Sale. He does kind of, you're right, it's kind of like a very Chris Sale type thing. He's the most strikeouts in baseball. Does he really? Yeah. Wow, look at that. Strikeout leader. What a stud. Now, the White Sox are currently 3-15. Yeah, 3-15. Wouldout leader. What a stud. Now, the White Sox are currently 3-15. Yeah, 3-15.

Would you like to guess what their run differential is? Hold on. Let me see what the second worst in baseball is, because I'm just going to assume it's the worst. It is. Funny enough, guess who the second worst is. The Rockies? Yeah, it's the Rockies.

And they're still noticeably worse. Well, last night was a big loss for the run differential. Yeah, that was tough. We had an opportunity to build on some things. I would say that they are minus 35. So the Rockies are minus 41. Ooh, already.

And this is an 18 game. Somehow the White Sox are minus 54. That is unbelievable. And there was what, a thousand people at their game last night? Dude, I've never seen it. I texted you, I tweeted this morning because I saw it this morning. It was like eerie.

It was like, this is not a baseball game. It felt like an empty stadium. It was like there's no one there. I know we did live through the pandemic of games without... I kind of got used to it. Yeah. It's weird when they're supposed to be. Yes, exactly.

It's weird when there's some people there, but then really just some. Totally, totally. But it was, overall, like some people there, but then really just some. Totally. Totally. But it was overall, I'm just glad they took care of business. And listen, baseball games aren't going to be easy.

No. Like they're not going to, they're not the worst Certainly not with the Phillies, right? And definitely not before June 1st. Yeah, I can say that again.

Definitely not before June 1st. Say that again. So I'm just glad that they didn't fall flat on their face. Me too. Look, they won the games. All right?

They are 11. As I said all Eagle season, I tried to tell you. I tried to tell you. You did. You were right. You said they're all the same. 10-1 is 10-1. You are.

Hey, you are what your record says you are. You've always said that. Don't even watch the games. No, you've always said that. Just wake up after the game's over. Yep. You don't even need anything else. They were a true 10-1.

Yes. And they're a true 11-8 right now. I think I sent this to you. I believe it was Corey Seidman who had the – let me pull it up. I believe it was Corey Seidman. No, excuse me. My fault. It was our buddy Bob Wankel.

Shout out to Bob Wankel. Bob. And he puts out the night before, but obviously it happens. This was the night before the Phillies, so now they are three games over 500. With the win yesterday, the Phill they are three games over.500. With the win yesterday, the Phillies reached three games above.500. They did not reach it until their 71st game last season. What a team.

Would you want it any other way? I know they started slowing off, but we waited until June 17th last year for them to be three games above.500. That is wild. Well, the good part is, is I'm sure that we were calm the whole time. And I'm sure that we were just like... Right in stride.

I'm sure we were just like, hey, listen, they'll be all right. They'll be fine. Well, I think I did say that, actually. Yeah, but even you're... I think we all had our moments. The tough part about your voice is that even... Just one thing? Are you sure you only got one thing?

Is that even when you're like, be calm guy, you're still like, I did it! I know, you're right. You can't even be calm guy. Mad dog over here. Yeah, exactly. No, it's good to see Bob put out tweets. It's good. Because he took off the entire winter from his little newsletter, and then it showed

up opening day. And I was like, oh, the Red October newsletter's back. What a fraud. I mean, what a fraud. Where were you at? At least we were doing a podcast. We were. There was nothing to talk about.

We were doing a podcast. We literally named our podcast after the fact there was nothing to talk about. Yeah, well, let's get used to it. Yeah, that's right. That's the all scenes we got coming up. A lot of money. A lot of money. Committed.

I think there's nothing. There's nothing. This is a little inside jack. Oh. People love that. Dangerous. Dangerous. This is a really dangerous spot. I'm just going to get real deep with the audience okay good i can't wait i'm really

bad at living in the moment yeah it's probably my biggest weakness as a human being my like biggest strength oh yeah you are a mister in the moment every well because we're counting i mean you don't have much time left so you gotta live in the moment. Plus, I'm never awake, so when I am awake, it's a thrill, you know? I'm like really looking forward to the trade deadline. Looking? Why? Are you serious? Dude. I am, dude.

I'm looking forward to it. It's April 18th. No, I'm looking forward to it, though. We're over two months away from the trade deadline. Yeah. No, three months. Yeah, Right? Yeah. May to June. July 31st.

Okay. So, yeah, we're three months away. We're over. We are more than three months away. We have three months of baseball. They'll have played like 120 games by then. If you think that's bad. I do.

I think it's bad. Yeah, I do. Wait till the Threshers report that's coming up at the end of this podcast. Just wait. It's been a good week for our boys. I do. I think it's bad. Yeah, I do. Wait until the Threshers report that's coming up at the end of this podcast. Just wait. It's been a good week for our boys. I know. I did see. I used to. You sent me the Aiden Miller homer. Yeah, well, listen, I don't want to bury the lead. I don't want to bury the lead. You're right. It is the most important thing happening with the Phillies right now. Yep. Not a sweep.

No, not handling business. Since you mentioned it, we'll get to it later. Are you good with that? We'll get to the Threshers later. I promise. No, don't go anywhere. That's to get people to listen to the whole podcast. People might be willing to leave if they didn't know.

I think people are willing to leave if we don't start talking about the rotation right about now. By the way, the rotation aka the best rotation in baseball, Jack. How about that? Yeah, and they allowed one earned run this week. They've allowed one earned run. And looked nasty in doing it. Like, it's one of those things where you look at the numbers, like, wow, that's impressive.

But when you actually watch these guys pitch every night, like, from from and obviously i know wheeler is yet to win a game but from from wheeler to nola to ranger to sanchez like they all look nasty right now yeah it's awesome so i've started something on the afternoon show that i'm i'm i'm now taking my own bit to bring to here at the same time okay i love it a little double dip yeah i'm a double dipper for sure. So I created something on the afternoon show called the Take Vault where you can put something in the Take Vault. That's amazing. You put something in the Take Vault

and you have to stick with it. You're not allowed to get out of it unless you like beg to, I want to get out of the Take. You know what I mean? So like, for example, if I say I think the Knicks win the series in six and the Sixers are up 3-1, I'll be begging to get out of the take. You know what I mean? So, like, for example, if I say I think the Knicks win the series in six and the Sixers are up 3-1, I'll be begging to get out of the take vault.

Right. But you have to get permission from everyone else in the show to get out of the take. So, quick question. Yeah. Because in that specific situation, like, you're wrong already. Like, there's no way that the— Okay. Let's say the Sixers go up 2-1. Okay. Okay. Got it's say Sixers go up to one.

Okay. Okay. Got it. Regardless. I just want to make sure once a take is dead, it's dead. There's no way.

Sure, sure, sure, sure. But you have to earn your way out of it. You can't just get out of it. Clever idea. Thank you. So I want to bring the take vault here

because I've had a take cooked up about... A little accountability with these things. 100%. Yeah, they just say Nick Pavetta is the next, you know, Cy Young.

Well, he was about to be until old Tommy came back around. Man, Tommy's on a vengeance tour this year. Who's had a, this is probably the wrong way to phrase this, but who's had a better start to the season? That's definitely the wrong way to phrase it. Tommy John or Mother Nature. Yeah, Tommy John wins. Yeah, Mother Nature's

been doing a great job. If by great we mean horrible. Great job. But I mean, dude, I mean, everyone's going down. I know. Come on. Except for the Phils.

Not going to win. Except for the Phils. So, this is going in the take fault. Okay. This is a better top-to-bottom pitching staff. Not just rotation.

Oh, I love where this...I already know where you're going. Rotation, bullpen, entire staff. It's better than the 11th. I think it absolutely is. Honestly, the bullpen is so much better than that 11th. We're not going to talk about Soto. Yeah. Hey, one night—

Dude, his ERA jumped to nine and a half. I know, I know, I know. He's had a really good start to the year. I know, the poor guy. And it sucks for a reliever because one outing like that, he's going to be digging out of that until August. He could be perfect until August. And it's like, wow, he's got a 3-5 ERA.

How about that? Well, because I got to look it up because I actually, it reminds me exactly as to what happened with Alvarado. Dude, Alvarado's ERA is 5-4. Yeah, I know it is. And he's been great since the first game. I don't think, has he a lot of runs since the first game? No, eight straight shutouts.

His ERA is 5-4 because he technically had five earned in opening day. It's so dumb. On opening day. It's so dumb. Yeah. That's why, you know, maybe ERA not the best way to evaluate. For relievers, it's really, it's bad. It's not great.

So, but like top to bottom. I think it was a great take. Like top to bottom, listen, The rotation in 11, we know. We're talking about Hall of Famers, and I get it. I mean, are we sure Ranger's not Cliff Lee? That's what I'm saying. Honestly, Sanchez is better than Oswalt was then. Oswalt was close.

Sanchez is a better pitcher than Oswalt was. I think, I mean, Ranger versus Cole? I mean, at that moment in 11, what Ranger is now, I think it's at least somewhat comparable, I'll say. You compared him to Cole? I was already getting him up towards Cliff level. That's my point, but we're going 1-2-3, right? So Nola, Cliff, that's somewhat fair.

You take Cliff over him. And then Holiday, you take over Wheeler, but it's not like Wheeler's light years away from the body. Not like the scrub. Yeah. And then Turnbull-Whirly? Don't you mean Taiwan? He away from Hollywood. Not like the scrub. Yeah. And then Turnbull Whirly. Don't you mean Taiwan? He's almost back.

Oh, thank God. Take your time. Take your time, Taiwan. Can you walk from Lehigh Valley? Just take a stroll. Just take a stroll. Do not get in a car. Yeah, take it all in.

Get in Ricardo Pinto traffic. But for a couple months. Get in Ricardo. Get in the actualinto traffic. But for a couple months. Get in Ricardo, get in the actual Pinto. They don't make it anywhere. I believe. That's a really old reference. With the breakfast,

I know, I know, I know. Thanks. I did get it, but there's no, I would say a majority of our audience has no idea what you're talking about.

I know, I know. I knew it when I said it. I was like, yep, that's going to age me there. But top to bottom, it's really, really good. And I know they've played some tomato cans to open the season pitching-wise,

but I thought Nola on Monday, that was the closest I feel like I've seen to 2018 Nola in a while. It wasn't just the curveball was sharp. I feel like he didn't throw his changeup as much as he has in some previous starts. It was really the fastball command. He didn't miss, dude. I was going to say the same. It felt like when he missed, he didn't throw his changeup as much as he has in some previous starts. It was really the fastball command. Like, he didn't miss, dude. I was going to say the same.

It felt like when he missed, he didn't. It was, like, right on the edge of the strike zone. Like, he had to sequence the Nolan Jones. It was, first off, three pitches, three strikes, see ya. And it was just like, here's a curveball for a strike. Here's a changeup for a strike. And then dot an outside fastball. And it's like that.

Like, kids, that's what 2018 NOLA was. Yeah, it was. Like, 2018 NOLA was, like, unbelievable. So I was reminiscing, obviously thinking about striking out Mookie, striking out Mookie, the Fenway start, who could forget, striking out Harper, which was a big one down in Washington. It was a big one, yeah. Him versus Scherzer. Scherzer, yeah.

It's just 2018 Nola. I'm going to, when Walker's, you know, maybe about eight, come sit down on Papa's lap. There you go. Let's have a conversation about how good... Let me tell you about it. Let me tell you how good 2018 Nola was when he had like a 2-3. I think it was 2-3-7.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Pretty good. God. Miss him. I know. But we're close. I'm with you, though.-7. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Pretty good. God. Miss him. I know. But we're close. I'm with you, though. And I know it's the Rockies, so, you know, caveat and all that. But just in terms of stuff, just in terms of, you know, we've watched every start this guy's had since 2018, essentially,

that looked like as on point his stuff has been since back then. Like it was the movement, the control, all of it. Well, it's good to see the velocity back up. I know, like, he had taken a little bit off of it because of, obviously, a sloppy mound. But he bounced right back. He's back to 92, just perfectly normal. And it's so interesting when you look at the pitching staff.

And we talked about this, and I brought it up on Final Out. Like, they're so command over stuff. Like, Wheeler's a mixer of both. Like, Wheeler has the command and also has the stuff. But I think that's why knock on wood, knock on – Yeah. If you're out there, please also partake in knocking on wood. It's why they've been healthy over the last little bit here.

I agree. It's because they're not NACS effort guys. You know, Nola's 92. He'll live with it. Wheeler, down to 94, 94 95 but he's learning how to pitch i mean ranger might not actually know what effort is race goes out just i want to know i want to know so bad like what would ranger get mad about oh i don't i don't know like not just mad just like even worked up or like nervous what is ranger getting nervous about like

if ranger had to perform open heart surgery without going to medical school i feel like he'd be like yeah i got it i'll figure it out there's no just kind of tell me what to cut like i just i don't know what situation this man gets nervous where he shows any sort of like anything there is no one on the phillies that if my life was on the line for, and I had to rely on them to get me out of a situation, that I would want more than Rangers for. I don't think it's a question. I just would trust that he wouldn't freak out in the moment.

Marshy, I feel like, has a... Marshy's got a case. He's pretty good. I think Marsh could survive months in the wilderness. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Couldn't you see... could you not see marsh like living for one of those but like one of those chasing down a buffalo so i see marsh

tracking a buffalo i could see that i my if i like really just my personal vision of marsh is like the alone in a cabin guy in the middle of the woods, like cutting his own wood. But still listening to Uzi. That's obviously. You know what I mean? I could see like someone stumbles upon him and be like, who are you? Oh, hey, I've lived here by myself for the last 20 years. And everything's perfect.

Everything's perfect. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He's something, dude. He's definitely something. But Ranger's just like. Yeah, let's get to Ranger. Because, you know, know look actual complete game shutout I mean

I didn't know pitchers were allowed to do that anymore did you did you start weeping knowing that could have been the last one you've seen

I know well I was funny because I was it was funny because I was sitting there and I'm like like I was gonna tweet like this is the first

Phillies complete game shutout since 1985 or something like that and then I was like oh wait Lorenzen was like last year so I was like he kind of loses just a touch of luster but yeah i was i was i was happy it was beautiful it was it literally was like watching a cliff lee start that's exactly what cliff lee used to do it was just bang in out now 112 pitches was too much for cliff too much cliff

would have been done in way out before that yeah but i look i i and you know i think that's one like there are some fair criticism rob thompson and there's some very very unfair criticism of thompson but one thing that we hear a lot that i think is is honestly asinine is that he doesn't let guys go deep into games he lets guys go deep into games more than any other manager in the game like statistically speaking and then now it's i was shocked i was shocked that i wasn't shocked you let him go back out there at 87 but as that and when it was first and second no out i would have pulled him i was like take him out what are we doing here rangers got it he did he did well to be fair if it was not it was three nothing instead

of five nothing he's not touching the mound in the ninth. Totally agree. The two-run home run 100% helped in that situation. But I also want to know. I know that I brought this up in the preseason pods. I believe it's the third time I brought this up. I like that you know the number. I believe it's the third time. It could be the second. Not sure.

Does. I know it's technically not. But that's pretty much a no-hitter. I mean, that's pretty much a no-hitter. So what's funny is as I'm watching it, I'm like, I think it was like the fifth inning, sixth inning, something like that. I'm like, this feels like he could, I'm like, did they have any hits? And I was like, oh, wait. I know.

I looked too. I did feel it. I looked in the fifth and I was like, one hit. One hit. Damn it. Yeah. Jack had the exact same thing. I was like, have they got a hit yet?

It doesn't feel like they've got it. I feel like they haven't even hit the ball hard yet. He's going to throw a no-hitter. He might. He's got no-hit vibes. Yeah, he really does. He really does. He has no-hit vibes.

Yep. He does. And also, I mean, it seemed like there were a particular large amount of balls hit back to him in this specific game. By the way, can we just get the guy a gold glove? Dude, he is the best. Again, I didn't see Jim Catt. I know I'm old.

I'm not that old. Catt. I came out wrong. I know it's Jim Catt. Well, his son probably listens to the pod. It is Jim Catt. I just screwed up speaking, and I i was just gonna plow her through but i appreciate you we get we get it right here i didn't see jimcott shout out to his son who is

the most sweetest guy in the world um i didn't see jimcott ranger's the best defensive phillies pitcher i've ever seen and like honestly i don't know like i can't even think of someone cliff was great like we've seen guys over the years that have been good. Ranger is. Greg Maddox, I'm trying to think of pitchers I remember standing out defensively. Well, hold on. What about Zach Wheeler? He's a gold glover.

Right? I know. What? Seriously, though. You pay more attention to this type of stuff. Do you remember a pitcher, except for Maddox, who fielded the position this well, this consistently? I'm sure there are guys I'm missing. I know there are.

But Maddox, when I was growing up, was the best at it. Yeah. Well, it's just so funny because the way Ranger pitches is how every Little League coach begs their pitchers to pitch, and it's just been phased so far out of the game. There used to be a day, I know this is going to break your brain, where I was like, make sure you, when you finish, get in an athletic position. Uh-huh.

Yeah, yeah. Dude, I remember that. And I remember thinking at the time, obviously an advanced brain, I was like, well, how am I supposed to throw hard? Look at you. You were way out in front of it. This is obviously stupid. Way out in front.

I can't throw as hard if I'm like, oh, let me make sure I can field the baseball getting back to me. What a loser. Now I've got to field their position? What a dork. PFPs suck, man. I hated PFPs with every fiber of my being. But that's what he does, man. He just, that's what he does, man.

Like, he's lucky enough that he's got 94, 92 to 94, without needing to be full max, you know, max effort on it. So, like, he can finish and field in an athletic position. So, yeah, he's like a cat out there. Like, there's even that game where it bounced off his glove and got behind him. And it did cost him a double play, so maybe that'll cost him the Cy Young. Or the gold glove. But, again, no panic. Well, I mean, honestly, to the point where I think there are many times

where all of us are yelling, it's not the ball, Ranger! Like, we've gotten to the point where we trust him, but some of them, like... It's awesome, though. It's a great bet. It's a great bet. It's almost like, you know what? How much can I mess with them? Like, how close can I get it? Like, can I get it right before they get there? Let's see. It's almost like, you know what? How much can I mess with them? How close can I get it?

Can I get it right before they get there? Let's see. It's almost like a game. Well, it was funny because I usually miss the first two innings because I'm driving home. And the first inning, Ranger got a ball back, and Franski goes, Ranger looks around the entire ballpark, takes it all in, and fires the first base.

All right. Like, you know that video? I feel like it goes around every year on opening day, but like the last couple years. But the Adley-Roshman video when he first stepped on the – when his first game and he goes out and he, like, takes in the whole thing. And it's a cool video. It's a cool moment.

Ranger does that every time he fields a ball. Like, he just, like, kind of looks around. He's like, oh, hey, it's cool. He's the best, dude. Fired over. Burley. Mark Burley was a very good fielder. That's a good call by you. I'm really just thinking about that play he made on opening day where he went between his legs.

Unbelievable play. It was ridiculous. Speaking of the Orioles real quick, where's Jackson Holiday? You know who I like, though? I got my boy Colton Couser bringing it. Dude, Colton Couser.

Dude, they... They get so many guys. Well, Gunner. I mean, Gunner's ridiculous. Gunner is a stud. I mean, freaking... Kirsten's not even up yet. Yeah, no, no.

He's coming. They are just loaded. Kobe Mayo. And it's like we mentioned, guys, Santander's a really good guy to have on your team. Santander. Santander. So it's like the bank. It'sander is a really good guy to have on your team. Santander. Santander.

So it's like the bank. It's like the bank. Okay. I thought it was different. Cedric Mullins is like the seventh best hitter in the lineup. Unbelievable. Did you see that catch he made the other night too? They're really good Orioles.

No, they are. They're awesome. They're really good. And they're fun. Like they're a fun team to watch. I wish we were in position to draft Ethan Holiday the next holiday. I know. Because he's coming.

Unbelievable. I think he's bigger too. Like, you know next holiday. I know. Because he's coming. Unbelievable. I think he's bigger, too. Sure. Pretty good. Why not? Yeah, two kids you drafted first. They're just studs.

But no, the Orioles, I think of, I've actually watched more other baseball this year than in years past. Love it. Which is good. Dude, you know what's a game changer? Is the- The split screen thing that they did? The beginning? Yeah, the beginning.

Oh, so I thought you were talking about how on the package you could do the split screens of games. Oh, no, no, no. Yeah, you can watch two games at once. No, no, no. You can watch four games. Yeah, we can watch four. They do this thing called the red zone, the beginning thing. It's awesome, dude.

It's not too much. So the good part about baseball. It's hard because it's tiny. I know. Yeah. I mean, you've got to really be watching to know what's happening. You can't be on your phone, but it's tiny. You've got to really be watching to know what's happening. You can't be on your phone. It's pretty great.

The Orioles, I love watching them. They're so much fun. They're young and exciting. Mayo's coming. Kerstad's coming. The good part is the Threshers are coming too. That's the most important thing. We'll get there.

I like how you keep coming back to it. Hey, fantasy football owners. The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception. Join me and James Coe as we take a deep dive into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster.

Wide receivers. We analyze route running, target share, and all the metrics that matter giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers. As you prep for your draft, let us give you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers. As you prep for your draft, let us give you the coverage you need. Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Alright, let's get to Sanji because he was awesome again too last night. 10 strikeouts, I believe, for Sanji last night. He did, yeah. He looked really good again. I mean, this staff is lights out. They're sick, dude. Lights out right now.

Yeah, they're the best. So Sanchez, and I know, again, one of your favorite stats, Stuff Plus. Oh. I just sit there and I look at the Stuff Plus numbers and I just peruse them. I'll go year by year. I'll go back in years and see what people ranked in Stuff Plus. Dude, so I bring up Stuff Plus on the post-game show, on the final out on WIP. Oh, WIP listeners. And I always preface it being, like, don't drive off the road.

Like, just calm down. It's just a stat. It's just a stat. I do like that it's named. Like, I can at least get what it's going. It's not like, what was the one, I saw one recently. Like, it literally looked made up. It was like, I can't even remember it.

It was just letters put together. Well, the one in the NBA that pisses me off is Vorp. Yeah, well, they have that in baseball, too. Value over replacement player. Well, there's already Vor. Vor's way cooler than Vor. Vor and Vorp used to battle in baseball. It was like the War

Vorp thing in War 1. That's good. That's awesome. Did F-War win or did B-War win? I think they both won. Dude, every time I hear Vorp, I think of the

Parks and Rec. Yes. Without a doubt. Whatever they were called. I forget what they were called, but that group that thought the world

was ending. They thought the world was ending. They were so good. It was a good bit. It was a good bit. It looks like the world's not going to end the world was ending. They were so good. That was a good bit. That was a good bit. So. Looks like the world's not going to end.

We're going to have to plan our world ending party for three weeks. Oh, that day doesn't work. Let's go with that one. Yeah. It's the greatest. So, by the way, speaking of Bars and Rec. Yes. The single funniest moment is the old people describing a banana.

And like, what if your banana is soggy and leans low to the left? I still, I'll go back and watch it like once a month. There is so many. I mean, there's a lot of really funny stuff. So, and I forget, this is a different model of Stuff Plus. I guess there's different models. So like B-War and F-War.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So by Stuff Plus, Kirkering's sweeper is the best singular breaking ball in baseball. Wow. Which is shocking. It's shocking. And Chris Sanchez's changeup is the best changeup in baseball. Get out of here. Which is exciting.

Now, obviously, I have no idea. But at least by one metric. The point is it's up there. It's one of the best pitches in baseball. And I think what makes it so tough to hit is his arm is really fast. He moves his arm through the strike zone or through his motion really quickly. So his fastball, quick arm, bang, 94.

And then if you throw the changeup off it, it's just harder to pick up. And it's got really good depth to it. Obviously, Devin Williams' changeup's the best in baseball. But he's hurt right now. He's not pissed. So regardless. But Christopher Sanchez, I just continue to bechez, I just, I continue to be impressed.

Me too. I continue to be impressed. I think Ranger has a better chance if I had to trust six innings, two runs or less. I think Sanchez could be

a four or five run. He does have those starts. We've already seen that. I mean, his worst start this season was worse than Ranger's worst start. Right.

But the upside is, I think, higher than Ranger's. Wow. I think just stuff-wise. Wow. He had 10 stuff-wise. Wow. He had 10 strikeouts. No, I know.

It was pretty easy. He's one of those guys, and I'm glad that he is pitching deeper into games because it's funny. He's almost old school in the way where later into the game, it seems like he gets better. He finds a feel. It feels like the first. Like with most aces, you better get to Chris Sanchez.

Yeah, it's true. In the first two winnings because when he gets into a rhythm like you'll see him he struck out like four straight yeah the other night so i just it's it's really really really impressive stuff and it's just it's good to be here because he was a guy who was like you know curtis mead curtis mead curtis mead throw a strike. You know, he's throwing 98 and had no idea where it's going. And it's a really good testament and a good thing for their pitchers going forward that they do have a guy that was 98

and they brought him to 94. And pitchers seeing that and knowing you don't have to throw 100 to be good, I think it's important. I want a huge win, whatever you want to give them for further development group i mean to take that guy and turn him one in into what they've done and that's super duper impressive yeah i mean that's really it you should be uh buoyed by that

moving forward yeah brian kaplan is probably the most under talked about important person in the organization like kotham's a stud obviously kotham's a stud. Obviously, Cotham's a stud. And gets a ton of credit. But what Kaplan has been able to do from, like, an arm health perspective and, like, I think helping develop some of these pitches and being the liaison between majors and minors and kind of overrunning the whole

operation. Stud, man. Their pitching development and pitching side is just... they're here. Like, they're all here, and it's awesome. Yeah. Again, they have the best staff in baseball right now. I know it's them and the Mets technically in terms of numbers.

What about those Sox? Yeah. Former Philly Andrew Bailey. Yeah, yeah. I'm terrified of them. They have a 1-7 starting pitching ERA. The White Sox? No, the Red Sox.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. The Reds. Well, Tanner Houck's been great. Garrett Whitlock just got hurt. But, like, let's be honest. Pavetta was breaking out. Let's be honest. I say those names.

They're not as good as the Phillies rotation. Like, the Mets. The Mets are up there, too. But, like, I'm not. I think Butoh and Hauser are going to keep it up, you know? I know. No, it's really exciting. All right, let's get to the bats because, like, we finally did start.

It starts to feel like we're starting to get going. I mean, obviously, Schwab bombs all around. You know, Trey Turner, white hot. I will say we had a sad moment through text last night because my guy, Trey, you know, homer in the first, single in the second, double in the fourth. I text Jack a little Trey with the eyes emoji. And you're like, you know, whatever. Yeah, he's a good hitter.

I'm like, no, no, no. You know, this guy's got a homer, a single, a double through four innings. And you're like, you know, whatever. Yeah, he's a good hitter. I'm like, no, no, no. You know, this guy's got a Homer, a single, a double through four innings. And what'd you say? I'm over. Oh, no.

The death of a great thing. I'm over. I'm over the cycle thing. You're done with it. I'm freed. I'm freed of the David Bell. So it was that simple. Like you just,

it don't care anymore. It's done. I told you, I've moved on We're on to Papelbon We gotta take down Papelbon Which is important You're right

I think Oduble Has the longest Hit streak Still? Yeah So we gotta take that down That's a big one We gotta take that one down

Knock that one out So we took care of the cycle It took 18 years 19 years 19 right? 19 years Yeah

04 to 23. So it's done. It is pretty wild that it was the first year of Citizens Bank Park that we get a cycle and then just never again. It didn't happen. And it still hasn't happened to Citizens Bank Park for a few years. I know. I know.

We'll get there. But yeah, Trey's been unbelievable. My one thing with the lineup, and I mentioned this last night on the final out, is like are they too reliant on the Schwarber, Turner, and Harper being good for this to last? And I guess they could last from the standpoint of like as long as someone else has a hit in a postseason game,

it shouldn't matter. But just in watching them, they do feel a bat short, like an impact bat. Yeah, and JT's been good, but JT should be your five or six hitter, and then you're like, set. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And Boehm's good. We talked about it. The Cassianos signing is where they are right now. Like, Cassianos is supposed

to be that guy. Like, that is the lineup spot that you signed him for a $100 million contract to be the guy to hit in that exact spot. And, I mean, honestly, like, I was like, I should even be betting eighth right now? I mean, Johan Rojas has been a better hitter than Nick Cassianos for the last week and a half,

two weeks. It's not even a question. Johan Rojas ripped a double last night. He's starting to heat up a little bit. I feel much better. He's walking. I mean, the OBP's up around 300. I'm not exciting.

It was like super low. Like, look, he's limited. He is what he is. But he doesn't look like a liability. And Nick does. Yeah, Nick's going through it. And I'm a little surprised that he's played every game. Why?

Everyone else gets a day off. Everyone else sits to our detriment. We're sitting there like, why is Todd sitting today? Why is Marsh sitting today? Castellanos doesn't matter. He could never get out of the lineup. It's wild. So when the Eagles signed Terrell Edmonds,

I remember I texted my buddy out in Pittsburgh who hosts a show out there, and I was like, what is Terrell Edmonds? And he's like, annoyingly dependent. He's like, if you have a bunch of good players in your secondary you can be like okay he's like annoyingly available that's really good that's a really good line for like never hurt always out there i feel like that's cassiano's right there he'll post he'll post he'll be out there pretty good but it's kind of annoying like he's a nice little phantom isle something something Something Because Rojas they gave the

Reset to It was like two or three days We're looking to kind of reset things here With Rojas Being pretty good We talked about it on this podcast Where it's like he's swinging a pool noodle Oh my god

Where he looks like actually lost And it's like he's hit the ball hard I'm like oh that's gone It's like a pool noodle. Oh my god. Where he looks like actually lost him. Well, and it's like he's hit the ball hard. I'm like, oh, that's gone. We talked about it. It's like a literally like shallow left field. It's not even like to the warning track. Well, that's why I was like, I had never been so captivated by the double last night. Dude, I was like, oh my, that's like actually

Jack, I jumped. So I've been watching the games in bed, obviously, because you know I go to bed right after and stuff. I jumped out of bed and I said, Demley, look at that. I couldn't believe it. How do you watch games in bed and stay awake? Because I don't lay down. I sit on the bed, and I watch.

You sit on the bed. And I can lay a little bit, but you'll kind of lay where you're sitting up with your back against the bed board and stuff like that. I feel like when I go horizontal, that's when Jack goes to sleep. Yeah. No, I'm better. I have to be. I when Jack goes to sleep. Yeah, no, I'm better. I have to be. I've gotten used to it. Okay.

Yeah, I know what to do not to let myself fall asleep. Okay. Yeah, see, I need feet on the ground. I get it. I get it. I get it. I've had to adjust. I've had to adjust.

I'm sure. I've got to go to bed like the second. The second. Dude, I brush my teeth during commercials. I'm getting everything ready. Oh, you're ready. You get your little jammies on. I have my clothes all out for the morning because I don't want to wake anyone.

That's so cute. Think about how annoying that is. Think about having to get your clothes together the night before because you wake up so early and everyone's sleeping and you don't want to make noise. I do that too because I've been getting up early and going on runs and stuff. No big deal. Yeah. Well, listen.

I get so much morning show content I can't even contain myself You haven't texted me a lot during this Good take What's your favorite color that starts with R You might not want to go down this road anymore Seems like the side topic

has become a big part of the afternoon show I'll just say It was the biggest 90's scandal yesterday That become a big part of the afternoon show. I'll just say, what was the biggest 90s scandal yesterday? Yeah, that's a big one, dude. You know what I was going to do? So you don't know my answer for that? What? Was it said?

Mine is the Jordan leaving basketball. Oh, that's a good one. Did it not get said? No. It was the first thing. I mean, it was based on OJ. It was based on OJ and Bobbitt. Okay, yeah.

So the first one that popped in my head was the Jordan leaving basketball. Did you see that John Wade Bobbitt got all his toes amputated now? What? Yeah, he's had a tough go. Yeah, if you could say that. I mean, if you think about all the people in the history of my life who I would not want to trade places with, that would be like one of the first names.

So what I wanted, if the Sixers lost last night, what I wanted to do tomorrow for a side topic. I am dying to know how this has to do with John Bobbitt. It does not have to do with side topics. That's the side topics. Because I wanted to do tomorrow. So Bad Bunny was going to have to play on Friday night, and I don't know if he's going to move his concert.

I wanted to do, what's your go-to bunny? Would have been a great one. That's really good. Would have been a great one. Bugs. What? Bugs. Oh, I don't know what that is. Bugs really good. Would have been a great one. Bugs. What? Bugs. Oh, I don't know what that is.

Bugs Bunny? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. My go-to bunny is Bugs. Okay. That's a Mount Rushmore answer, Jack. Dude, I don't know. What about Peter Rabbit? You mean Peter Rabbit guy?

Did you ever read Watership Down? So I never read it, but I know what it's about. I never ended up reading it, though, but it's one of those that most people read. It's probably the last fiction book I've read. It's about rabbits. It's 100% about rabbits. Yeah.

In seventh grade when I read it. Yeah. Haven't read a fiction book since. Wow. It's a long run. So happy. I am,

since you asked. I didn't ask. Yeah. Since you mentioned fiction books, I am currently, let's get this, I am 820 pages Into my

1231 page book Right now Yeah well We're cruising along Yeah I don't want to hear Any more about Any of your Fantasy book

It's really good No No sci-fi in there too We'll see fantasy The only fantasy I live in Is fantasy baseball It's called The Way of Kings Well it's the Stormlight Archive

I'm actually on the fourth book Alright we're good Nah you can move You can move right along Alright Let's get to the take back Oh that missed bad that was embarrassing it was right on line though don't don't do you're not that far from the trash can like you should be able to hit that there's a wawa coffee cup on the ground by the way yeah by the way those cups are great they're

way better they're taking a pair you should stick with them. The other ones are like- Everything was better in the 90s. Fall apart. That's like a real cup. Every single logo branding was better in the 90s. Thank you. Yes. Kelly Green better. I know. Kelly Green better. Everything, everything.

Besides the Sixers jerseys. That's fair. They were not great. They were not great. But everything vintage looking is so much cooler than how things look today. Preach, buddy. Yeah. Preach.

Everything was better. Again, I'm just trying to. Movies so much better. I'm trying to go back. I know. Welcome. One day at a time. Welcome.

I'm trying to relive my 90s, even though I'm not really a 90s baby. Do I count? So here's the thing. Because like at 90s, I'm happy you brought this up because I've been thinking about this. Because like I was born in 81. I'm old. Oh, man. But I'm a child of the 90s.

Sure. You know what I mean? So it's like I'm a baby of the 80s, but I'm a child of the 90s. So the 90s were my form. I identify with the 90s, but I was born in the 80s. So it's one of those kind of things. Yeah, it's tough. You were born in-

94. 94. So I'm definitely- You're a baby of the 90s. A kid of the 2000s. Yeah, a kid of the 90s. A kid of the 2000s. Yeah, a kid of the 2000s. A child of the aughts. That's right.

That's right. But listen, I remember the 90s vaguely. My first memory of life is still Doug Peterson playing quarterback for the Eagles. Which is great. It was the 90s. Great 90s. 98. Yep.

So that's about it. 99. Is it? Yeah. Okay. It's 99. Whatever. Yeah. It's good it. 99. Is it? Yeah. Okay. It's 99. Whatever. Yeah.

It's good. All right. You want me to do the take back? Take back it up. All right. So what's the best pitch on the staff? You texted me this. What is the single best pitch on the staff?

It's really hard. I know. I think I sent you four things. I sent you the Alvarado fastball, the Nolan knuckle curve, the Kirkring sweeper. I said slider, but sweeper. And what was the fourth one I sent you? So you said Alvarado fastball,

wheeler splitter, Kirkring slider, Nolan knuckle curve. It's tough, man. Do you have any to add? I mean, I guess I should put the Sanchez changeup in there. The Sanchez changeup

should 100% be in there. Rangers just existing. Rangers just being ranger. Like, isup in there. The Sanchez changeup should 100% be in there. Rangers just existing. Rangers just being Ranger. The Turnbull sweeper. I mean, it's a good pitch. I don't think it's there, but it's a good pitch. The Wheeler splitter I just continue to be impressed by. Enamored with.

It's pretty hard to hit. It's pretty hard to hit. But yeah, there's a lot of good singular. And I was going to say Gregory Soto's slider, but that didn't turn out very well last night at all. Imagine if we had done this in, I don't know, like 2018 or something. Oh my God. It'd be like Mike Morin's changeup.

I know. The 69 mile per hour EFIS pitch. The Blake Parker splitter or whatever it was. The Blake Parker wind up alone was the best pitch they had. Yeah. I mean, it was just like NOLA. It was NOLA. Yeah, it was NOLA.

I would have said Pavetta. We would have said like three different NOLA pitches in that minute. Yeah. Not great. they had. Yeah. I mean, it was just like Nola. It was Nola. Yeah, it was Nola. I would have said Pavetta. We would have said like three different Nola pitches in that minute. Not great. Not great. Taiwan, I guess, you know,

he did three walks the other night, one strikeout in a AAA start. Like, alright. I think we both agree that we would rather have Spencer Turnbull pitch

than Taimo Mokorino, right? Sure. He's definitely going to take Turnbull. 100%. And they could go six-man, but it's early to do six-man. You made the points last time we talked about this. It just didn't work for them.

No, and Wheeler didn't like it and killed the bullpen. But, I guess Turnbull, he could send down Pinto. I think he's the long man all of a sudden. He's Dillon Coffey. I know, but he's bad. He is.

Oh, I agree. Right now, he's too good for it. I do wonder what... So, he sits 93 most starts. I wonder what high leverage Turnbull looks like. If he just comes out, max effort? Yeah, max effort. What does this stuff look like?

And especially if Sir Anthony keeps struggling. Marte's been really good., was good again last night. Don't think he's allowed a run yet. He is not allowed a run yet. Kirk rings back, which is good. Would like to see him more. And obviously Hoffman. Hoffman wasn't great last night, but also.

He wasn't, but you know what? You know, we trust Cheva. He tried to overthrow 2-2 for no reason, but. And look, he was a little dangerous. Obviously the play at the plate was unbelievable. By the way way just pinch running a pitcher when you have bench players left but they didn't have i don't think they had any no they did they had bench players left who i don't remember but i knew they had bench players like jake cave was in the hotel because he was sick they had chris bryan who was not on the il yet oh it's because of that it's because they were injured guys they definitely

had guys who were available to play theoretically yeah i Yeah, I really don't know if they did. I know he's their opening day starter. It's just wild. It was insane. It was a very old baseball. It was insane. And the play was amazing, but it also like... Well, they got lucky.

And Hoffman wasn't great in that spot. He wasn't. And this is like the most... It's been a while since I've done boomer takes. Love it. It has been a while. I've done boomer takes. Love it. It has been a while. But. I mean, you are a boomer.

Yeah, for sure. Not technically. A 30-year-old boomer. Yeah, you just are. Like, in that situation, when Hoffman's bouncing some pitches, can I knock off the one knee nonsense? I know, JT. I know. And like, I know you're there, you're trying to frame pitches.

Block the freaking ball. Blocking the ball matters more. Exactly. Certain cases you say, hey, you know what? Framing's important, but this is more important. I wonder with the IBS system, I guess, coming to Major League Baseball. IBS? Is that what it's called?

I don't know. I know that's irritable bowel syndrome. Maybe it's not IBS. The automated strike zone. I can't remember what it is, but I know what you're talking about. It might be IBS. I mean, strikes. I wonder if they go back

to normal catching because they don't have to worry about framing the baseball anymore. So if they go back to... Real quick, I love how you just you've accepted that robot arms are coming. Is that what you're saying? Well, it's sickening. There's nothing I hate. You're just there.

It's a foregone conclusion in your mind. I've accepted the DH. The DH is fine. I've accepted the Ghostrunner. You have, by the way, with the DH. I'm very proud of you with that. I think it was mostly a bit. In hindsight? It was mostly a bit in hindsight it was mostly a bit i think it's just funny to rant about pitchers in the nl and how great the game is but the um i just i hate the idea of of robot umps like i love getting mad at umpires i know and it's so much more fun than like oh man you're gonna get every call right i

don't care like it's a it'll even out. It should even out. So I do wonder though what the automated strikes are coming if catchers get back to blocking baseballs. They might. It's a really good call by you. It's a fascinating thought to what catchers do now and how they go about their business and how it could change completely. So, and the other thing I

had was Johan Roas. Trey Turner looks like the guy they paid for. Dude, Turner has been awesome. Even if it took like eight straight infield hits to get here. Yeah, but you know, but not anymore. I mean, he is smoking

every baseball. I mean, like I said last week, Marsh overall has had the best season, but the last week and a half, Trey Turner has absolutely been their best hitter.

Yeah. Like absolutely. And Marsh is cooling off. He is. Marsh is cooling off. Trey's been their best hitter. Yep. How do you feel about Elliot,

by the way, because he's walking by. How do you feel about him with this whole like fake coffee hit he's on? I didn't know this. How do you feel about Elliot, by the way, because he's walking by? How do you feel about him with this whole fake coffee hit he's on? I didn't know this. He's on a- Well, he's drinking coffee now, allegedly, but it's like salted caramel. Oh, I know.

He does it just for a little taste and all that. Yeah. Yeah. So I actually know why. He's doing it because he thinks it's fun to have coffee and people look cool with a coffee in their hand, and thus he's having some coffee. Okay. Yeah. That's what it is. He wants to their hand. And thus, he's having some coffee. Okay. Yeah, that's what it is.

It's definitely not because he wants coffee. Well, sort of. All right. Can I just talk about Aiden? Go ahead. Can I just talk about Aiden? I can't believe we made it 45 minutes into the podcast. Did you see the swing?

How can I not use anything? Did you see it? Dude, oh, my God. It's Eugenio Suarez. It's Piazza. It was Piazza. It's David Wright. Big, powerful swing.

He had four hits yesterday. Four for six. Dude, he's just so good. All the exit velocities are really high for a prospect his age. He's stealing some bases. Like, we might have a special one. We might have a special one. Wouldn't that be something?

Oh, I'm so happy. What was the last special hitting prospect? I mean. Don Brown. No, but no. I'm saying who turned into something. Like, it's like Chase. Oh, yeah.

We're going way back. That is crazy. Especially when we just talked about that Orioles team where they have like six guys like that who are just like all, all fricking bats that are studs coming up. Yep. What a thrill. Yeah. Well,

it's like, it's like they also have a pitchers down there that are incredibly exciting. Like, oh, and bright now is starting to heat up a little bit. And they just brought up Grayson. No,

I'm talking about the threshers. Oh, you're talking about the, okay. No, no, no, no,

no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no the os okay no no no no no no no no no we're michael and bright learn the name george i didn't know that who is it michael and bright micah odin bright otan otin bright i literally have never heard that yeah well he was like a

class and i would obviously know well he was like a fifth round pick in 2021 that was out of high school that's now starting to develop i guess so it's been uh it's been great and then george glasson who shout out to Robert Orr, who he tries to claim like he's a producer of this podcast because he thinks I steal all his stuff. Oh, really? Which I do.

I steal everything he does. If you don't follow Robert Orr on Twitter, he's phenomenal. Just brilliant. Don't cut that audio. He has models. He builds models for stuff. He says that George Glasson already like he builds models for stuff. He says that,

that George Glasson already has above average MLB stuff. Like just sitting in clear water. It's, it's fun. I wish,

I wish, we could do a video today, the video, see what's being used. It's a shame. I'm way better in this studio, by the way. You are,

I agree. You don't have to do and turn and look to the camera and the whole thing. The smile on your face right now, especially just a second ago when you were telling me that Robert or factoid or whatever,

it was like real joy. Yeah, no, it's real. For someone who can't live in the moment, you are enjoying the moment right now. Well, but it's also not living in the moment because I'm thinking about the pressures. That's a great point. And how they're all coming up soon.

Well said. Also, Gabriel Rincones is off to a hot start this year. He reminds me of Anthony Santander. Okay, what a throwback. Well done. Yeah, he reminds me of Santander. Good work. Jordan Villars is also heating up a little bit,

so it's great. No, I can't wait. I love watching the minor league teams. They're my favorite. And a quick apology to the Williamsport Crosscutters, who I said the other day were dead, and they are alive. They're not

a part of the Phillies affiliate anymore but they still take part in the draft league and they are still an organization. So I got a lot of tweets about this. Isn't that the most fun? The cross cutters are still here. When you say something and then it's like, guess what? Idiot. You're wrong. Why are you such an idiot?

It's all about owning up to it. You gotta own up to it. No one better. Oh, the, yeah. Why are you such an idiot? It's all about owning up to it. Yeah, it's true. You got to own up to it. No one better. Yeah. Oh, the best. Yeah. Mr. Accountability. I also want to create an accountability board for the afternoon show.

Yeah, I knew it right there. For next pod, I'll have something ready for the take vote. Okay. You're going to stick in there. I'm going to throw it in there. I'm going to leave it. Let it marinate. Deal with the consequences. Okay. Okay. And I'll take what I have to get. That's good. And maybe I'll gonna throw it in there I'm gonna leave it let it marinate deal with the consequences

okay okay and I'll take what I have to get and maybe I'll beg but maybe I won't dude I all like I

there the Phillies finally have so many dudes it's unbelievable and they have dudes on the major league team we got like dudes everywhere what a thrill dudes everywhere part of the reason why I can't wait for the trade deadline

we're back and we're back. Full circle. Hopefully by next pot we'll be able to announce it. I think we will. Coming up very soon. Like within the next 10 days, we will be having our first High Hopes Watch Party. Our first event.

I will just get in clarification and we can pump it up. But it is happening. Maybe nine days from now maybe maybe clear the date maybe April 27th if you've got plans

cancel them that's all I'll say April 27th we're coming to your city yes if you live in the city that we're going to on April 27th

but we're definitely going to a city on April 27th by the way we've got a lot of high hopes events this summer yeah it's going to be awesome we've got a lot of High Hopes events this summer. Yeah, it's going to be awesome.

We've got a lot of stuff planned. All shout out to Miller Lite, of course. We love Miller Lite. Miller Lite is the sponsor of this podcast, of course, and the official sponsor of the Philadelphia Affiliate and official sponsor of Philadelphia Affiliates. Tastes like Miller time. Philadelphia, celebrate responsibly.

Sunday, either Sunday or Monday. As long as they don't get swept. It might be Monday because I just realized Emily's away on Sunday, but we'll figure it out. As long as they don't get swept by the White Sox. I might be fully Zoey'd up on Sunday, so we'll figure it out. But either way, Sunday or Monday, we'll be back. Yeah, if they get swept by the White Sox, we'll talk to you later next week.

Cancel the pod. Absolutely. There will be a 0% chance. Honestly, can I be honest with you? If they go 1-2 against the White Sox, probably not going to be recorded. It's over? Yeah. No, There will be a 0% chance that we're, honestly, can I be honest with you? If they go one and two against the White Sox, probably not going to be recorded.

It's over? Yeah. No, we'll be back, just not right away. Yeah. All right. Until then, Eastford,

some salsa. We'll see you next time.