High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Is This The Best Iron Pigs Team Of Our Lifetime? (Dodgers Series Recap)

Episode Date: April 7, 2025

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies taking 2 of 3 against the Dodgers over the weekend and discuss some of their concerns about the team moving forward. Jack is enamored with the depth on the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs roster. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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On the Odyssey app in sports radio, 94 WIP. I was singing high hopes, smiling through a broken nose. Oh, high hopes, high hopes. I feel a little less alone. Yo! It is another edition of the high hopes podcast sponsored by Miller Lite, official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies tastes like Miller time Philadelphia celebrate responsibly as we celebrate two or three buddy. How about it?

I mean, if I basically feel like the Phil's won the World Series, it's all good. We're set. We got the Dodgers number. You're great. April Parade. April Parade. This is what we do. It was that look, that was a nice series. Of course, it was.

In April, I'm not going overboard like that. Uh huh. What like this podcast? That was a that was a really nice series win early in the season. Really good. And there's still stuff to complain about. So right there is. But yeah, Jordan Romano not loved in Philly.

Yeah. You like that I brought a sweatshirt back out, by the way. Yeah. Is everyone over in that series now? Like we're back. Is everyone back on board now? OK, I want to make sure everyone's going to be OK. A lot of them are going gonna come in here and bully them

Let me put it this way. Mm-hmm I'm just saying They pretty much kick the Dodgers at kind of own the Dodgers There's a Saturday or four straight series wins or whatever. No big deal Saturday if the third baseman The the start thing was more unlucky than anything I think he is you know, it happened. It's they try to hit and run to get out of the double play. And by the way, I thought yesterday there was an opportunity for start

to run in the same exact situation. And it was a social ground ball. Oh, yeah. Almost I was like, why is he just go? Yeah. I mean, I know that it didn't work out yesterday. Probably because yesterday is why he's not just going. Yeah, exactly. No, but, dude, I'm I'm fired fired up i there's there's like stuff that little things that are annoying you know that we'll obviously get to but for the most part they could have won on saturday they they played well i mean nola obviously

i think to be fair either team could have won any game oh my god it was it was a it was a well-thought series yesterday they dominated outside deserve to win yesterday but they still almost. Yeah, well, that's because of one guy. That's because of one guy, which we'll get to. We'll get to. But, dude, I just and then like Lazardo on Friday night was, oh, lights out, buddy. That was awesome.

Well, do I not like I don't want a big game picture stuff right there? I don't want to say I had a lot of chills watching the game on Friday night for an April game. But I did. Better first star at Citizens Bank Park. That or Lorenzen's no hitter? I would think that one. Well, I mean, what about Lorenzen after the no hitter?

You know, hopefully that does not happen. I was just saying for the first star. I don't think it will. No, I don't think so. I don't think so. But he was the stuff looks a little different than when Lorenzen throws. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Or like, I think Gibson had a good first start at.

I think he did, too. You're right. Yeah, it's like, oh, wow, we've got a real innings eater, dude. We've had our job. We've got our innings here. His name's Aaron Nola. Yes, yes, yes, yes. You'll take him down. He's going to allow some home runs along the way. It's you. Well, it's just so funny.

It's like he could hit his spot nine times out of 10, but then one time in this 700. It's just going to be all wrong. Yeah, it's like there's no there's no wiggle room. I think I think Aaron has got to the point to where he's just like, it's like six innings, three runs. It's like, yep, that's Aaron. No, right. And one absolutely hunger. Yeah, it's like, yep, that's Aaron. No, right there. And one absolutely hunger.

Yeah. Yeah. It's launch. Pray there's no one on base when he hangs it. That's really what we had hoped for with the Nola start. Two, two solo home runs. That's great. Perfect.

That's our boy. That's our boy. So it was a fun weekend. Then the ballpark had a lot of juice. It felt, it felt like for April about as juiced up as I ever remember. And, and, you know, I think I felt this on on like leading into the series. And I think we talked about it. But like the way that they were the way

that they were, I think, locked in and wanting to totally the way they wanted to go out there and show the Dodgers, the JT comment before. You know, I heard their unbeatable and all. It's just the way they talked about it. Like I like the bravado made me a little bit nervous about it, but you know what I in hindsight I liked it. Yeah, I know you don't want that come back. It's not coming I'm nothing that's not being the whole way like even Casiano's afterwards when when they asked him bad and you know, every player is always like yeah, just another series

You know just go by your braids. He's like no I meant more the Dodgers. He's like it did me more I like I like it felt like they they they took this series very and they've taken the whole season very seriously It feels like but this series they went in and they took this series very serious Are you in on the the war shirts? Yeah, oh, yeah, I love the I need them at the Store I need getting me I need 45,000 like so in on that wearing when the so in on our definition of war is winner ring Yeah, love it. Love it. Love it. So there's a lot of good stuff the This the the seriousness that the that we've talked about all year, I thought that was also evident

Like little things like there's a big one But the little one even just getting Romano out of there Instead of just letting him try to work his way through it. I thought was a sign. We talked about the big ones, Benji, but the big ones. I mean, and no doubt, Topper does not do that in April, any other season, you know, without a doubt, they can say scheduled day off all they want. Yes. You were off today. It was a righty on the mound. There's no way that was a scheduled day off. And I again, I'm fine with them saying it, whatever. I don't believe it's a schedule day off.

And I, I just like that. He Saturday was brutal. Five, five pitches, four outs of boarded back, you know, and if pitchers know that you're going to swing first and still doing the same stuff with the throwing the helmet and the making faces and they're like, it's like, no one is more unhappy out there than Alec Boehm every single second, it's like always like man and bad look. And it just especially, by the way, after like, you know, this way,

he's been mentioned two of the last 11 games they played or whatever it is. If you think about it that way, that for analytics, like you think about what happened in the playoffs last year. And you know, like when he was trade talks and all that stuff, whatever the fact that, you know, the organization talked to him about this, you know, that part of the reason he was in, he knows part of the reasons that his name was in trade talks was because of this thing. And for him to come back this year and right off the rip, just not be able to control himself and not be able to like manage his emotions. It's such

a bad sign for him. Well, and the and I just he is an emotional guy. I get it. But that kind of thing just drains a clubhouse. It just it's just. And I don't think it helps him either. I think it's much harder for him to go up and hit well the next time to control himself on stuff. But but and you see now, I don't think it's totally because of that But they walked 11 times yesterday the day after they bench a guy I think for per se in five pitches and for a panel and I know that's more he's always kind of been that way

but I don't I think that they're just They're being held more accountable this year, which I think is good Like if you're gonna bring back the same team, you guys know each other so well you've been through these battles for three seasons and It's the only It's the thing that it's going to be the reason why ultimately you win or lose is is how close or how? Much you can get out of this specific group could likely not changing But I just the the heightened sense of every little thing mattering has been the thing that I

think has been so encouraging about the beginning of the season. 100% man. Because they were they were into it last year, obviously, course, but it was more just, it was more like, let's start hot. And then this big picture, we got to win the World Series, like this big picture thing, this is much more like driven and focused. And like, like Harper said, you know, and we've talked with this so much last few years where we are. We've said they don't care about winning every game, and that's OK. You go through a long season, but we've known that they've managed games, played games where it's like, you know what? It's OK if we don't. Oh, we're down five. Not early. It's OK. We don't have to win today. Like it feels like in Harper said the game He's like we want to win every game we play and I know that teams always say that this year this start at least

It feels like that's the way they're approaching things that it's every day is a day to come out win a baseball game And then you worry about the next day and I just think it's it's refreshing to see them Well and and with Bryce specifically, I feel like he's talking a lot more this year. Yeah, too, buddy I think he feels like a leader morning ever has with the way he's talking like he's talking a lot more this year. Me too, buddy. I think he's feels like a leader more than he ever has with the way he's talking. And he's more out front with everything. And I think he is I think he's just setting the tone for the entire thing. And I still do believe that that Thompson was also instructed. You got to like enough with the everyone's got to work.

Going to play. Everyone's going to get the start. Yeah, I mean, Gelbert reported that Romano is going to be in low lever spots. I mean, that's obvious. Sure. We've watched them for, for three, four outings, but I feel like that would have taken a month that would have said about his track record, how, how he got announced for a long time. He's most saves in baseball or third most saves in the AL for three years.

Those stat, like it's the What was it the fourth best chase rate in the playoffs last year? Whatever that stat they throw around it Well, and that I know it's like what do we do in here? But it well the and the best one of all time is still the fourth lowest I hope any error that was the all-time in baseball is the best when asked about why no leakers have made the Let me tell you why yeah, I think Cole Irvin was their first guy they drafted the Long time unbelievable. We had the fourth lowest second half bullpen to say the cupboards bear. I don't think

What times the better time is that Our people remember that oh, yeah Oh most people have no idea it would have no idea what we're talking about a have no idea would have no idea what we're dying I'm a majority of the fans have no idea what we're talking about with that and it was an 11-minute answer. I'm just letting it Dude I think we should replay that for us. Oh, it's unbelievable React to it all throughout even the next offseason. I was a good offseason ideas and we never do them. I know but Yeah, dude Romano His armors might be cooked. I mean it that's what it looks like to me

I mean, he's he was saying after the game that he didn't have answers which was concerning He's I'm just basically like I'm reaching back for it in an eight there was basically what he said He said he said yeah, I'm used to being 97. He's like, it's usually there. And it's not 93 right now. I don't know why it's not there. It's good. It's so funny how early you can just be like, there's the familiar. Yeah, you know, really? Yeah, I can't. It's unfair to say Kimbrough because he wasn't all that way. But Kimbrough was great that year. He got overused. You know, I think that if they handle him

differently, I think Kimbrough's history in Philly is very different, you know, but he is that because the way it ended, it is what it is. Most people look at Craig Kimbrel as a villain. No, they really really he's hated like the Philippines. Eight Craig, like eight because you're forced to root because he was I know. And it wasn't his fault. Like really, he's just like, yeah, I'll take the take the ball sure like my arms totally cooked But let's go. Yeah, you know, oh, you know what? Why don't we bring you into a one-run game and a playoff game late in the game? Yeah, that's a great idea. Let's go guys. What like the most active stays? Yeah, I mean it could be all a favor from the seventh, you know

But yeah, so the it's like it's just so funny. I really it's like well, there's there's our familia of the year There's our workmen. There's our heath-hambry. There's there's that guy. So I don't know what they're going to do. I mean, I know they're going to put them in a low lever spots, but they still they were relying on him to be one of their big arms. He signed him to be one of them. And look, they only have eight four. Yes, he was one of the four that you know, three, three guys, three guys, and maybe we're monitoring Jose. No,

we're monitoring. He's got a big, little bit. He's like on the fringes. It's crazy to say we've always been monitoring the Jose Ruiz situation. I think we were. What were you going to say? Joe Ross. Oh, yeah. For real, though, Joe Ross. And so people who, you know, if you haven't been listening forever, wherever, like Joe and Jack, and I've always been big Joe Ross guys. We just love Joe Ross.

He just could never miss like two years at one point. Like just couldn't stay on the deal. Tyson Ross. We both were. I like the Ross brothers, but like I'm all Joe Ross has always had stuff and, and if he could stay healthy, I mean, he does have a chance to be a weapon. It's just betting on him making five more outings this year is a risky bet. Yeah. And it's not like he's traditional relievers.. No, he's a starter. Yeah starter that is yeah I mean theoretically should be a long man or whatever, but it's just not the way this

Yeah opens and I am curious to see what they're doing with number 35 Carlos Hernandez I think the best number 35 summer sang the because because my read on it is I think they want him and they brought him in because I think he's an interesting arm But they want to work in with Gothman for a good bit before they just start running him out there. Smart. I have no, no issues. Which is fine. I think he could develop into that. And dude, again, I tweeted this on Saturday

because walk took a nap and it was just me and study and there's no like day baseball on which was so weird. I know. Infuriating. Like, yeah, Saturday one game at one o'clock and then it was like four o'clock. I remember I was like, what are we talking? It was horrible. And it was that it was the yeah, it was a blah. So I was like, no, it was that Tigers White Sox. That's what it was.

It's a horrible baseball game. Yeah. Well, except when you're watching. Or do we'll watch all of them. I was watching. I was watching Reese Olsen deal. I'm good. You know, it was a good bounce back.

Very it was especially because he started bad. It was like two runs in the first. They settled in. Yeah, I'm a I'msen deal. I'm good. You know, it was a good bounce back for it was especially because he started bad I was like two runs in the first they settled in yeah, I'm a result. Yeah But so I was watching the pigs the iron pigs. Oh, I saw you you're all in on this one. They look great They're say we use a routine just say it deepest iron picks me I've seen Their deep as a deep pigs team. So everyone's saying It's not that their conventional wisdom says the deepest pigs team we've seen. It's not that there's a bunch of...

Crawford you hope is a star, Rincona you hope is a star. AutoCamp! I just... Oh! Would never pray for an injury. Would love to see AutoCamp up here. I'm pretty campy. I'm a camp guy. I'm a camp guy. There you go. I'm a camp guy

so but yeah, like But they're filled with big league guys big league guys You're gonna go like Christian Arroyo spoke in the baseball right now So you that and then now we got to the pigs after early after the Dodgers series. They put two or three Let's talk some pigs. Yeah, I'm not exactly this quick We do that's what we do But they have I mean they have some interesting Like their bullpen also is basically now it's it's a big league ish bullpen

But they're in triple a and it's not like there's like an unbelievable talent down there But like max's are I think it's only like 96 and he was interesting last I liked him last year Yeah, yeah, the cutter working last year. That was kind last year. Yeah, the guy he had a cutter work in last year that was kind of good. So I don't think that I'm not to use the term that we just brought up, but I don't need to cover its bear in the like bullpen sense. I think they have an interesting arm. Just can one of those guys pop in and take with it because Romano, I just unless his velocity gets back up to 97, like it is possible, you know,

he is still coming back from the arm thing. Oh, like, who knows? Like maybe you can get it back. But you know, like to your point, you might just never get it back. You might not be done. Because armed and it's unfortunate you feel bad for the guy. Yeah, of course. And but if he doesn't have that, if he doesn't have that, that high 90s. Oh, he's just because he misses all the time.

He's trying to get swing and miss. He's trying to get guys swinging, miss balls. That's the problem. That's his thing. Yeah, exactly. If you don't want the fastball to counter it, like you got nothing. If you don't have 97, you're in a lot of trouble, especially him because he's too bitch guy to talk about too bitch guy. Exactly.

Yeah. So Romano is a huge issue. But, you know, and the bullpen, it's really three guys. And then hopefully one of the it's a mom around on Kirk ring and you and you and oh, he's been interesting. Right. Yeah, there guys we like Ruiz. But the point being that, you know, as of now, the only three guys,

I would feel OK coming into a playoff game or those three guys is what, you know, we're trying to say, and they're going to have to do more than that if they don't. And look, you know, is out there. Maybe David and Rossi could maybe actually make a good in season trade. Is that actually possible or is that not allowed? He got Moises Chassé. That was a good move sure Trade to help the Major League roster would be now he did trade Matt Verling to get guys

He did yeah, Logan Oh hobby just homered again right now. They're not even playing right now. Well, I'm just joking around He's got like six over. I've over straight. Yeah, he's gonna fire. Yeah Unfortunate It is what it is, It is what it is. You know who is available? David Robertson. Oh, bring it back. It's unbelievable.

Third time's a charm. Yeah. Third time. Second time was fine. They got to the game six. Yeah, it was. Yeah. You did three ERA last year.

Of course. 39 years old. Of course he did. I'm not surprised at all by them. Like the least shocking thing of all time. 39. Give me 40 year old David Robertson. Yeah. I mean, at some point, I think he might be hurt. I don't know if he's hurt, but he's not signed. You might as well just kick the tires. If this team's good, like the frustrating part

about them is that they're they're good. They're taking seriously lineups doing mostly what you want to see. And the starting rotation has a chance to be really great. Especially with Ranger and painter and and all that stuff coming, you know. Pan, I mean, they might need them, you know, they might. I'm Jordan Robinson, host of the new podcast, The Women's Hoop Show. Each episode, I'll be joined by a rotating group of women's

basketball experts to talk WNBA, college hoops, the new unrivaled league and the shifting landscape of the sport. The game is growing and so are we. Listen to and follow the women's hoop show and Odyssey podcast available now for free on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast. But like you look at the lineup, right? And you know, ever since opening day, even with opening day, they still they have the best chase rate in baseball with opening day. That's chase rate in baseball.

They have the best walk percentage in baseball. The lowest strikeout. It's all the things that everyone was like, I need to see this like they're doing it so far now. You know, it's nine games, but so far so good. Now they are 27th in hard hit percentage, which checks out, I think. Yeah, you're right. Yeah. Not many are balls that Cassiano's grand time was one of the few ones as we get.

Well, and Harper ripped the ball late, which is nice because he's he's getting bullied by fastballs right now. Every like some of these start. Oh, I know. It's like a little squibblers I just like a little like poke it in there. He's hitting. I know he's hitting 286 with the eight 19 OPS, I don't feel that I feel like I can't imagine one hit. He's got one double I feel like I remember a double well, I get a double that just squeaked over the first So 2700 percentage not great, but everything else good.

Again, look, it if it's about as good of a start of season off of last year on top of what they're saying and how they're acting. But you could ask for I mean, there's there's been some situational things that that haven't gone well, like again, when they the the Schwab or three oh yesterday, they could have broken that game open. And we know about the the three straight strikeouts in the Rockies. And like, there's some good moments. Yeah. But it's also it's annoying in the moment. I don't know what you want. Like the thing is, like, we can't expect none of it. I know. It's not like guys are just never

going to swing a bat pitches again. Like, well, they don't hit with runs scoring position. I think they're first in baseball on average position so You know, it's They're doing I think that there are some aspects there still like the Romano thing It feels like some of the at bat like the about quality has gone up, but they're not it's a lot of singles Which I guess is what people wanted They're doing a little bit better at small ball But again, I think for a majority of this series against the most unbeatable team,

I know they didn't have Freddie Freeman. The Dodgers also didn't have to face Tom Walker like you like what you did. Come on. I was really good. And then a second. I was like, oh, yeah, you're right. That was good for the Phillies. Oh, wait, no. Oh, I see what you did. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But Freeman Walker, I got it.

That's good. But like the they they I thought I played them for a majority of this. I agree with you. Like the Romano winning was bad. Glass, no, can't pitch here. You can't. Oh, my God, dude. Feed me glass now. Who would have thought Sasaki would be the one who would hold it together better than glass now with the two of them? And they have stock in the ropes, too. Yeah, they did. They bailed him out.

Yeah, they did. They did. And there's been some of that. There's been some for the most part, like, you know, Marsh had the the dumb running thing. I don't remember if that was this year's right before. That was Friday. Was that Friday? OK. And then no, that was the rock. Was it the Rockies either way? But like and then obviously we talked about the side thing.

You know, I don't that that just happens sometimes. But you know, even last year when they started out, even though they were one in three and then, you know, then got hot after that. Like it felt like there was some base running. It felt was there was like dumb, just dumb things they were doing to start the year. This year hasn't felt that way for the most part. Doesn't feel like we're seeing like a lot of like what that other than Harbrad one, two, but Harper, you just account for those. It's like, I feel like I'm not like, what the other than Harbored one to but Harper, you just account for those. It's like I feel like I'm not. And it's just I know you guys doing that. That's not coming out of me as much as as usual early in the season.

Well, and I think the one thing that's been good is he's kind of he's doing a much better job of riding the hot hand and they're finding ways to get a window in there. I know Edmundo sat two games, but you talk about yesterday and getting him in there at third base over bone with the righty on the mountain obviously him beating that out was was one of the plays the game you know there's no chance of being yeah but the but also I mean the fact that they are already trying him in centerfield yeah oh yeah thank you bring that I totally because it was like at the end of the game and it was like I said to Emily I'm like he's in the outfield and

they didn't realize it first to a center because I just saw the shot of him standing. I'm like, that's weird. And then the first ball gets into him. I'm like, wait, he's in center field. I'm like, what's happening right now? Now there's, uh, there's not much, listen, baseball, I think is the most beautiful game ever created. It was so baseball, the first ball, of course it was like, I wish I could have bet on it. It's like, of course, the ball finds it. It always finds you. So they're finding ways. Because Thompson said after Wednesday night, he's like,

yeah, we've got to write him a mountain tomorrow. So he probably, I don't want to put him in the outfield. And then Saturdays in the outfield. So that didn't make much sense. They're trying to find ways. They already moved Romano out of levered spots, you know I think they now they I've were totally over using alvarado early time here. You got a big time down there Yeah, and I think we saw it. Yeah, that's why it looked so bad in that last

Rockies rocky series was back yesterday. Oh buddy back. You look great yesterday. Yeah, I was actually surprised I was surprised at how You got he pushed Losardo on Friday. I thought was already gonna come out after the six So did I and he didn't pull him on Friday? Because he was first person third with two outs. I was like, okay, maybe maybe they get him out there he trusted him in that spot I I just I I'm I hope that we are getting the

Los Ardos is what we've been waiting for. We've been talking about this for years. Dude, his slider is at like 89, but it's bite. It bites so hard. It's actually not even a sweeper, I don't think. I think it's like a bullet slider, which you don't see many of those like you don't see bullet sliders By the way the Apple TV broadcast. It's so entertaining to watch well from the visuals. Yeah well Cuz obviously I just I just when you can sync up fransky. Oh, that's you gotta do that's a move

Yeah, I rewatched it on Saturday So I didn't listen to it mm-hmm, but them saying that he idolized Johan Santana growing up made me very, very excited. So that was good. But like. This stuff is so it just bombs, it pops off the screen. I mean, just a lefty to like he's like averaging 90 close to 97, like averaging like it was like 96

plus he's averaging like and it's got life like it's got that late movement. I mean, his his just natural stuff is so freaking like elevated when you can go change up off of off of the two fastballs he has and the bullets, we slider and I think the sweeper will continue to come along. It's it's a hitters nightmare. And the thing that was so encouraging about Friday night was that it was a lot of quick outs too.

Like that's what he has to develop as he goes forward here. Being an issue of five and he's been like a five inning guy, you know? Yeah. And so on the first star is first 11 K's five innings. Listen, cease, cease and, and, and Snell disgusting. Sure. But it's mostly been five innings. Like there's a reason why Wheeler is more valuable is because he can go deeper in the ballgame and that is something the Phillies have worked up like we talked about last year

How the Phillies were the you know? Antithesis of the rest of the league with all their guys going deep in games and all those numbers and their minor leaguers Yeah, and their minor the cable the cable takes down I was I was giddy on you for Gary're from Gary's getting out like what's happening. We're going back, get back to old school. Griff, I believe his first 26 pitches, he threw 19 strikes. Wow. So that's exciting. It is exciting.

But and they cleaned up Abel's mechanics a little bit, which is good. Like he was I mean, it was a seem like a great outing, much more in the strikes. Six shutouts, having kids like awesome. Yes. So hitting 96 in the seventh, which was good. I mean, he was young when like a great outing, much more in the strikes. Six shutouts, having kids look awesome. Yeah, it's hitting 96 in the seventh, which was good. He was young when they dropped to his like 18. Right. Yeah. So, you know, I mean, maybe he's a late bloomer. I don't know. I'm not going to.

I do not want to get his is like, you know, he's still young comparatively. Yeah, I think it's like 22. Yeah, 23. Yeah. So but yeah, you just you just look at Los Ardo. You look at the stuff and especially when you, you know, like Sanchez is the perfect guy, I think, to compare those two from the standpoint of like Sanchez was someone who would try to strike everyone out and, you know, he didn't worry about getting quick outs and he threw 98 and then they brought him down a little bit

They said hey like Sanchez also worked on being more efficient getting quicker outs It's okay to pitch to contact and I feel like that that's what they're trying to do with Lizardo, too I mean he had a couple of like a four pitch hitting I think in the middle of there in the middle of the Dodgers game on Friday and to do it against that lineup and have them look as feeble as they did was it was it was it was jaw drop for for for an April start and for a fan base that watches Zach Wheeler every fifth day. It was it was jaw dropping watching Hazel Salazar on Friday.

It was awesome. Now I'm with you. And like it's a it's a sign of that what the high end is with that guy. You know, I mean, he can be an ace if he puts it all together. You can be an ace like that's how talented you can. Can you can you just envision this? Oh, God, so good. It's such a good name. Come on, man. I love that.

And a sold out CDB. Yeah. Very, very in on I don't know when there's this would happen. I think it might have to be in the intros. It's either that or it's or it's when he's walking off the mound after an inning. Yeah Yeah, like six inning big playoff strikes a guy out sick. Shuddy comes off walking off Any and you know what? Uh, probably AJ Pearsons gear whatever says on the now I have a turn are they doing them. Yeah, of course it was Doing them. Why would they boom these pitch? So great of course it was. Are they booing him? Why would they boo him? He's pitch so great to Philly, man.

Am I right? Yeah. You get a cheesesteak. Nailed it. But yeah, it reminds me of it reminds me of the old dude. Yeah, it does. Yeah, which is great. I love any of those. Like, yeah, yeah, it's good stuff. It's good. JT, by the way, Friday night, too.

I mean, also all season just defensively like he's actually better than he was last year. He's improved the pop times quicker. The I mean, he all season, just defensively like he's actually better than he was last year. He's improved the pop times quicker. The I mean, he has been phenomenal. And Friday night at like that was throughout catching was our the game he caught. And obviously the end, really the eighth and ninth, like that was a true like master class catching performance. Yeah. Yeah.

And it was never the defense. I think anyone was worried about is no bad, but even the bat. And I guess they made a mechanical adjustment with him on Tuesday the last week or Wednesday So ever since that point he's been you know, kind of ripping line drives Yeah, if we hit game the other day, yeah good again. I want to see it. Of course I don't like I don't want JT to be be done with being the season you looked on so I I and last year certainly Yeah, the end of last year. So it was good to say, I hope he keeps it up.

And, yeah, Friday night, he kind of just took over. I mean, some odd running situations, especially Ohtani in the eighth. Like that was like, what are you doing? That was a that was a wild decision that I couldn't believe it as it was happening. I was like, what's he's running? Yeah, no sense. Yeah. Some awkward running moments. You know, I also also appreciated the kind of sidetracking.

I appreciated Dave Roberts comments on Friday night before the game about not wanting to will into existence a Dodgers Phillies series. I miss him. What? So what do you say? He basically was like, he's like, yeah, I don't want to jinx it. When I guess they asked him, are you surprised that you guys in there met in the postseason the last couple of years? And he's like, he basically is like, he's like, yeah, I don't want to jinx it. When I guess they asked him, are you surprised that you guys in there met in the postseason the last couple of years?

And he's like, he basically is like, I want it. It's me. No, no. He said, I don't. It's like, I don't want to. I don't want to tempt faith. So he's scared of the Phil's way saying, now probably not again. But I just I because of how the Phillies are talked about here. Yeah. And then listening to an opposing manager be like, yeah, like there's a lot of firepower on that wall. like, yeah, like there's a lot

of firepower on that. Well, also look, and they are a talented team. I think that, you know, they are, I think teams are on baseball, look at them as one of the best teams as they should. But also like, you know, me, athletes are humans. Oh, there it is. I know that people don't usually talk about this, but I do think there is something to believing you can be the team going into a series or whatever, being like, yeah, we got these guys. We own, we've got these guys as number. Like I do

think there is something the Phillies have the affiliate. Like I think if you're the Dodgers, you look across the field and you're like, wow, that team beats us a lot. Like I do think there's something. I'm not saying you win or lose a series because of it, but I do think that that only helps the team when they're going in or hurts the opposing team when they're going in that way. I do think there's something to that. Many are saying that if Donnie can't handle Philly. That's it. That's facts, right? I mean, and look at the numbers, man. Now I want people to stop tweeting about how he's never home run. Yeah, a whole week. I was like enough. All right, like what are we doing here? You were like asking the shut the fact the enumer is like all-time shock. Well, I would have bet so much that he would have.

I'm just worried about October now. Well, I'm going to work. I'm going to circle back, save it up for. Yeah. If he hits a big on Ron, I'm going to say this is what you all get your fault for the people who did this for tweeting out that he's never hit home run CBP. Yeah. Not a fan of the series in April, but yeah, I just, they, they kind of match up.

Well, now Dodger bull kind of match up well. Now, Dodges bullpen has gotten much better. It's actually better than last year. Well, look, like Blake's now was hurt like they didn't, you know, they Freddie Freeman for this series, like that, you know, it wasn't a full on, you know. Yeah. But it's better than like last year, they played a. Oh, totally. No, no.

Early in the season, they're they're they're ready. I was told they were on beta. They were until the Phillies. Did you know that? Yeah. The wagon wagon. I thought the Phillies are the iron pigs. Same different. The iron pigs hang like 10 again.

Yeah. Yeah. Crawford's raking a little bit. Excited. Can he play center field for us? Yeah. Good. I don't know when. I don't think that's probably better than Brandon Marsh today right now. So I don't think so. No, I don't think so. By the way, great catch by Marsh yesterday. A big guy. That was a that was a really, really, really great play.

Was shocked he got there. Me too. Dude, as he's running in, I'm like, that's a single. I'm like, there's no chance this guy's going to get that ball. And then it's kind of hung just long enough. That was that was good. Did the Castellanos Grand Slam remind you of anything? Hmm. Of old Phillies, lower. Oh, are you going Aaron out there?

I should have seen this coming. Yeah, I should have that that all time moment. Yeah, I think I think we did an emergency. Definitely. I remember potting about that. Yeah, I think it was the first time we had 100 downloads. Times have changed. Talk about Aaron Altair dominating Clayton Kershaw. What a sad podcast we were back. I don't think it was your favorite time. the the the

the the the the the the with solid I think. Probably I was about to say, I think it's Evelyn, but it is close. I think it's Evelyn, though. Evelyn seems like more stable.

And trade it well, but I don't know who's making more. But I think I mean, they're probably pretty close because I think I think I like three for forty and then I just got that contract. I think I've traded to a legit team. Yeah. One of them who to thunk it. Is he still on the heavy body thing?

No, he's been good in Baltimore. I think things watching from afar I know well, that's a different discussion Yeah, maybe maybe It's pitchers Moises shots. I could be an answer in the bullpen by the way good Well, the fact the Orioles traded away is a good sign for you know, considering the pit Orioles just don't care about pitching No, yeah, they don't and they don't they don't know how to develop starters either but that's going back like forever Yeah, I mean Bundy Harvey. Oh forever. Yeah. Oh my god. Yeah, they've always had these Dylan Bundy I know I was so excited about him in fantasy. Even Grayson Rodriguez is not like yeah, he hasn't broken together

Yeah, no, he's hurt too. Yeah, so Yeah, Orioles check-in. Yeah, always always always. Always. But I say, like, I don't know, maybe they start moving him into the bullpen. Who knows? But there's again, he's a live arm. There's arms. The pigs got arms. Let's put it that way. They've got arms. They've got to replenish the major league roster.

I think the pigs might be like only like plus 200. Could the pigs be the major league team? That's the question. Everyone's talking after beating the Dodgers. All right, let's get to the big leagues. Could the Pigs beat a major league team? That's the question. Everyone's talking after beating the Dodgers. All right, let's get to the take back. I've actually talked a lot about everything that we had on here. So that's the potting right there, buddy. One thing that I think is interesting, Bryce is currently hitting 182

against fastball. So this I think this happens once I was just about to say, I feel like we we have this discussion every year where it's like, oh, Bryce is struggling. It's fastballs right now. Yeah. And I remember his first year was why it's so weird that that happens. That speed. Yeah. So I love the I of course I get I'm everyone's therapy couch with the Phillies. So I get a lot of worried about Bryce.

No, no, we're good. Chill out. No, no. Look me in the eyes right now. Why would you be worried about price on April 7th? Yeah, there's Romano. Yeah, what's the bigger issue Romano or bone? It's a great question. Because I think like, I think Romano is a more immediate issue. But I think bone could fester longer remote room. I think Romano is a more immediate issue, but I think BOM could fester longer. I think Romano- Do we need one more bullpen piece?

That's what I was going to say. I think Romano is more easily replaced. And thus BOM might be a bigger issue, if that makes sense. Yeah. Yeah. I think BOM's a bigger issue. I think so too. I'm curious to see how he bounces back from the scheduled day off.

It's going to be big, you know, like. I know, I know it's just a calm. Those against, I just rolled my eyes. I just I didn't even know why are we doing this with a guy who's almost 30? Almost 30. He's not a child anymore. Why are we doing what are we doing here? Did you see what I was talking about with the power ground balls, by the way, with the in the first inning? Oh, I know. He have been a great again. Oh, he'd be all-time. I'm hating power. He would have ruled

95 right down the middle and just it was it was like he had a fungo Slow roll is trying to hit an infield practice. Yeah, he doesn't want to hit a fly ball. Yeah That's what it was. My goodness. My goodness. At least he's fleet of foot. Yeah, he's so fast He's so fast. He's so fast and then and then I guess final thing the Vlad dreams, it's over There's a lot of eggs in the Kyle Tucker basket It's off there is by the way if you're the Cubs and you let him go after what I'm waiting tree

I know he's been awesome lead the league in RBI believe like he's been After what I'm waiting tree. I know he's been awesome lead the league in RBI believe like he's been And and also you gave up cam smith and you watch him get to the majors immediately without going to minors You're like what we treated that for this guy. We should probably not just like Yeah, let him go. Yeah. Mmm. So a lot of Kyle sucker Because then I don't know who else is gonna be out there I mean eventually what now Robert's that whore will start to the year Because of course, of course because I just don't know who they like who were the bats who were the bats? You're right. I don't know who yeah, it's our out there. Yeah, there are certainly not the elite like game-changing type bats

Glad was lab was the one and Kyle who's there too? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So a lot of pressure on the internal internal developments. Again, just stick out of camp out there and they're fine. We're fine. I like this is good. I mean, honestly, probably better to promote from within than trust Dave to go trade for someone. Well, they see that they see now. I don't know. They see enough a little bit.

Double keeps doubling down. Yeah. And then so far, it's been rewarding. I bit. Double keeps doubling down. Yeah. And then so far it's been rewarding. I feel good. Dude, it's great. Pretty damn good right now about the fills. I try. I try not to watch every game thinking about it.

This is good enough in October. If you think that way, you're going to drive yourself. It ruins it. Especially with baseball, because there's so much failure. And they're so long until then. It's not like, oh, like five more games. It's like, no, like the whole season's left. No, but like when they don't execute, I'm just like, well, there it is.

I know. I know. Oh, they're they can't win. Did you see that swing? That's it. It's over. I was getting tweets early in the game yesterday. It's like this team is a killer instinct. I was like, well, what happened when Casio? That's why you are everyone. Did they develop the killer instinct then? Oh, the way people talk about baseball.

I know. I know I know It just drives me not long season of it coming out buddy Yeah, especially given the current state of how people feel about yes But hopefully keep winning and I mean big series against the Braves here in the sense that Braves one and eight coming in You can't bury him yet but like You have a chance to come out of this series, being eight or nine games up, if they could win two or three or sweep,

like it would be seven or nine up depending on if they win two or three or sweep. I mean, that's like, you know, that's that's a big lead in April. Yeah, of course it is. You can't can't win the pen in April. No, but you can lose it. You can lose it. Yeah, you can. We'll ever sail tomorrow. That's really fun. That's going to be awesome. Yeah. And you know, Wheeler is going to go on with the Lex.

He always does, especially against the Braves. He always has against the Braves and also like he lost this young to that guy last night, like he knows that, you know, Taiwan versus Schwellenbach. Oh, I feel great about Taiwan. Tough night to be a brave. That's right. Tough night to be a brave. And then Lazardo versus Smith Schaver on this is great. I'm I'm really pumped for this.

I count down the seconds every day until I can. I bet you do. He's a Zardo. It's a tough day, but no baseball today. You're just going to be able to watch other other teams. Casey Meis on the mound at three. There you go. We found it. What did I text you on Thursday night? Is something about Casey Meis?

I said, I said, did I stay up to watch? Yes, because why you don't give up on your children You're always there yes, I've got to show up that's true All right, that's it. I think so. Yeah, The dynamite. What did you got in the natty tonight? I was I had Duke and I was wrong. So that what what a loss. All time loss that was hit the shot, Cooper. Yeah. Yeah, that was Kenny. Hit the big one. I'll take it.

Yeah. I'm still the next game will be as a sex. So yeah, I wish still in on him. All right. We'll be back later in the week. Big Brave series. Oh, thank God. We should have left with this. Come hang out with us Thursday night. We are going to be at Maxis at Temple's campus.

Shout out to Maxi. Shout out to Temple. I saw Tucker's eyes light up. For example, you said that a lot of fun nights there. Me too. We Maxis is the spot coming out. We're going to watch the Braves game Thursday night at Maxis 715 game. I guess we'll get there a little bit before that, like seven, whatever, but we'll be there coming out, man. It's going to be awesome.

We'll have trivia. We'll be giving away Phillies tickets, all kinds of awesome stuff. Come out to Max. Come out to Max trivia, all that good stuff right on Temple's campus. I can't sign the book yet, but I will sign whatever you want. You can promise people a signature in the future. Bring the bell book. You can do an IOU where you have like, I will sign and then they can bring that back to you. It's good. Beautiful. Beautiful. All right. So coming out. So you buy Jack's book. Well, ring the bell, ring the bell book.com. I won't have them in person on. No, I'm saying to the listeners, not Maxis by Jack's book, please. But down the road, we will have books.

Yeah. Then we will actually push it in your face and force you to buy it. Yeah. Yeah. Everyone that walks through the door has to buy. Why didn't people show up this time? It's so weird. Where is he? Normally people show up for these events. Yeah. All right. Maxis Thursday coming out.

That's going to be awesome. We'll be to react to the series after that. Until then, he's written himself.