High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Is What's Happening Right Now With The Phillies Actually A Good Thing?

Episode Date: September 14, 2026

After being the hottest team in baseball during the month of August, the Phillies have cooled off and have fallen out of the NL East race after another series loss to the Braves. However, James Seltzer and Jack Fritz still believe the team might have a shot in October despite the recent struggles. Presented by Miller Lite.

Miller Light, the official beer partner of your Philadelphia Phillies, is proud to serve as presenting sponsor of WIP's High Hopes Pod. So whether you're listening to the game, catching off on the latest High Hopes pod or at the ballpark. Remember, it tastes like Miller time, Phillies fans. Celebrate responsibly. This is the High Hopes podcast. High Hope! On the Odyssey app and Sports Radio 94, WIP.

The crowd is singing high hope. I feel a little less alone. Oh, ha, ha, ha, ha. This is another edition of The I Ops podcast, sponsored by Miller Light, official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies. Tastes like Miller Time, Philadelphia. Celebrate responsibly, Fritzy. I got two things to say about this weekend.

One is not about the weekend. It's about Thursday. The borough in Downing Town, come hang out with us. The last High Hopes Watch event of the year, we're going to be doing trivia for tickets, hanging out. It's going to be such an awesome time. last chance to coming out with us for the years. So, like, you know, if you're, if you care about the pot, if you're a fan, I mean,

like, I don't know what else to say. Show up or don't. You know, if you want us to care about you, you know, you kind of going to show up, right? That kind of sounded threatening. It's going to be. I was trying to. I was, it was as much of a threat without, you know, like alienating listeners as I could do, but I might have alienated.

Yeah. I mean, whenever I think of the most threatening people in my life, James Salter is probably probably not weird. But, uh, many people say, yes. But yeah, so downtown's great. The borough's great. I've got Thursday night football along with some, some Phillies baseball. What is the Thursday?

Usually early in the season, they don't get you the horrible. Yeah, yeah. I mean, yeah, they're right. It should be an all right one. Hey, hold on. Hold on. We're going to get, oh, Detroit Buffalo. Oh, that's actually a great one.

Wow, how about that? Okay. I might be more locked in on that. Hey, buddy. Hey, buddy. Just kidding. Yeah, and look, Philly's met. and it'll be an awesome time coming out.

We're going to have a great time. The borough is a great place and great name for a place too. All right. Second thing from the weekend and it is my official take from the weekend and we'll get into the slow trot, the base running mistake, all of it. Here's what I'll have to say. We didn't want to win the division anyway. We talked about this last pod.

We want to go to Wrigley. This is good. This was a good weekend. That's the way I'm going to look at it. Am I right or am I right? I'll take a step further. Glad it's out. happening. There you go. They need it. They need it. Yes, I want them to stay as in the race as possible

for the last two weeks. I don't want them to get fat and happy. Last year, they won the division by 13 games. We remember 2024. 13. Was it really 13? I didn't remember was that any, wow. Yeah, they're 96 and whatever. No, I know. I just didn't remember. I knew they went to handle it, but I didn't realize it was 13. That's so many games. Geez. Yeah. I want them to be, to have to be as locked in as possible, heading down a stretch run. I don't want them to be there to be any lulls. I want them to be jockeying back and forth with the Cubs.

And as always, they're peaking too early in August with the nine game winning streak. It's so true. Always, always peeking too early when August starts rolling around, late August as it was. But I, it's much easier to say when they win yesterday, being able to win that game.

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. I think if they get swept, we're probably a little more concerned this morning, yeah. And yesterday was a very good day for them as the Diamondbacks lost, the Cubs lost, and obviously they beat the Braves. The division's probably over,

but still making sure they at least make it is all part of my plan here. Super important. Yes. And they do luckily hold the tiebreaker against the Padres, obviously, which they went six and no against his year. But also as of now, the Diamondbacks one is not locked in yet,

but they're tied three three in the head to head. The next tiebreakers, the intra-division record. The Phillies have like a three-game lead there. They're three games better in the NLEs than the D-backs are in the NL. West. So like as of now, they're in decent shape of the tiebreakers in terms of just making the playoffs.

Obviously, they lose it to the Cubs if they're tied. Yeah. So, yeah, I was glad to them when yesterday. The one thing that is that has been frustrating in the last week, week and a half, really even back to two Fridays ago against the Braves. is just finding little ways to continue to lose baseball games. Usually base running. Usually base running.

Some defense, which was added into the mix this weekend. But finding ways to lose games in games that feel like that they are playoff games. That Friday, I said it to Emily. I turned to Emily in like the seventh inning. I was like, this is a playoff game, dude. This feels like a freaking playoff game right now. Yeah.

And you were hanging on for dear life once they couldn't add on against sale. I mean, that was the most, that was the most classic. You better get to an ace early game ever as he is in the seventh inning mowing the Phillies down. But thankfully, Derek L. got him and I can't wait for the Derek L. Postseason moment. But it's, and maybe this kind of thing is good from the standpoint of, now, this is a big, big ass and a big reach. But you make the mistakes now. You realize where your errors are. I like this.

I like this. It's good. So hopefully when October rolls around, you can not make the same mistakes. Do I think it's going to happen? Absolutely not. But that is my positive spin on what has been, well, two series losses and a series split against the Braves. Yeah. And just look at an annoying weekend and really the Friday game.

I mean, the second two, and we'll get into the Trot and the Braves bludgeoning them. And then I do think to your point answering yesterday and getting that, you had to get that game yesterday. It was an important win. It was a good win to see. The Friday one. the one where, you know, you look back and just say, come on, guys. Like, really, you can't, because to your point, Jack, this team, first of all, they have to get hot at the right time, like we're talking about. And look, it hasn't worked the last few years, you know, playing well

early and coasting. So I'm good with them having to fight to get in. The one time they truly had to fight to get in the entire season, they ended up going to the World Series. So like, sure, let's try that again. I'm good with that. The issue is that whether or not they get hot is obviously a big part of it. But even if they do get hot, like this team isn't good enough to make these mistakes in big games. They're not good enough to give up big outs, to give away runs,

to allow extra runs. We know these games are going to be tight. Look, other than yesterday and Saturday, the first four games or five games against race, we're all super close and super tight. I, the biggest concern for me,

like there's a lot of concerns, but in terms of just like, it's one thing if you get beat. and the other team's better and all that. It's another thing if you beat yourselves. And that would be the most infuriating thing if this team actually is playing decent baseball and plays well and they end up losing because of dumb crap like this.

Yeah, it's a mixture of dumb crap for sure. And also, like some guys just not stepping up when they need to step up. Like Brooks rarely. I don't know what happened. Oh, come on, man. I know. I know.

Get Hacian Kim out. He is hitting, what, 115 this year? He's among qualified hitters, I think he's the worst hitter in baseball this year. I mean, if he's qualified at 115, he probably is. That's pretty hard to do to qualify and hit 115. Yeah, I mean, whatever, the minimum of the bat is probably not qualified because I think he missed part of the season. Regardless, he is, for the amount of he plays for the Braves, he is a horrendous player. Like just, I mean, defensively great at the bat.

No, he has not been good at all this year. Get him out. You know, like some of these guys out there in the bullpen got to like take some pride in, in what they're doing and, and take this personally because the offense did give you, like the price base running thing. Yeah, annoying, 100%. They also gave you leads three times. Yeah, yeah, three one and then, yep, and then came back and then four three and five, four.

Yeah, 100% man. Step up and get them out. I mean, step up, do your job and steal a game in Atlanta that Chris Sale starts. that a sale. Aaron Nola started. And by the way, Nola, great again. But no, you had a chance to win the Aaron Nola Chris Sale game, dude. I know.

So, like, that's the, we talk about every podcast. I mean, like, literally, I think you can just play the last four podcasts on his heat. And they all sound the same. Like, they're going to make some dumb mistakes in the postage that's going to be annoying. And the bullpen's not good enough to get the ball of it around on a consistent basis. Probably not. And that is the fear of the grand plan of going. on the road and wanting to go on the road is I do think obviously the big fear would be the

relievers. I think it would be good for the, I think it would be good for the offense. I actually think it'd be best for Bryce. I think Bryce likes being on the road. I think he likes the overrated chance. I think here's a little extra oomph to his game when he plays in Wrigley or obviously Truis Park. So I think be good for the offense. I think the pitching staff does not matter. I think that they're fine wherever they are. Yeah. Fine. The pitch the starters are fine either way. the relievers are bad either way. It's all good. Yeah. It's really just the stick, seventh, eighth inning guys. And I think

Duran is fine on the road, but obviously hasn't been super, super battle tested, but I would bet on him on the road more than that. So, yeah, it's finding little ways to lose games against good teams has really, really been annoying the last week. Yeah. And especially Friday, we were texting. It felt like

they had a moment with Alex McFarland in the eighth, too. We were like, oh, we got him. He's the guy. Eighth, we're good. You know, like, it felt like we were there and then they keep just giving it away. And really is so frustrating because that guy's been in way too many big spots. Like way too many big spots.

And we're all like, why aren't they using him? Why aren't they using him? That's probably why they're not using him. He's not getting the job done. And this is why we were frustrated at the deadline. You know, killing gets hurt. Obviously, that sucks. But even with Killian, Killion and really, like, that wasn't close to enough knowing

what your situation was. So that's what's so frustrating. All right, let's get, I want to get to the game itself. But for like the, and, you know, fingers crossed. seems the MRI was good on that. But by far, forgetting the games, the most important news of the weekend to follow is Lizarro. Lazzardo getting the late scratch, shoulder soreness or whatever it is.

MRI is good. You know, that's great news. This stuff happens. But, you know, I think right now the way he's been playing, you could argue what was a Lazzardo or he's Lazzardo, arguably, I know, right? Arguably, like in the discussion for their most important player, you know, one of them. So the Lazzardo thing. Yeah.

I think they didn't want to give the Braves any ammunition. Oh, I like this. I like this, dig. Yes. Give me this. I'm mostly just kidding. You want to talk about making Friday worse. Oh, dude.

That was the worst news. When that news first came and I didn't, you didn't know any past and all that. You're just like, that was like real sick to your stomach news to get. Yeah, I wanted to die for sure. This is too much. This is too much. You want to know what sick of thought I felt on Friday night? Of course.

I was like, dude, kind of like when they lose games like that. You're right. That is a true, true sick I thought. It was torture. Oh, puts air in your chest. It really does. You're not wrong about that. You're not wrong about that.

When we get the ultimate payoff, it's going to make it all worth it. We're going to remember all those moments, all those horrible nights that you love, apparently. Dude, 19 to 11, the fastball. The fastball to Pablo, the fastball to Pablo Sandoval, off after Hector, Mnaris, there's just, there's so many that are, we're gonna, I'm gonna go back and rewatching when we win the World Series. You probably will, actually.

Yeah, you will. Workman in Miami. Yeah, I don't know why they're all the 2020 season. Workman, period. Just say workman. Good. Workman and Embry. And it's like, all right, that you don't need to say any specific outings,

all the outings. Yeah, the law firm of Workman and Embris. Oh, my God. The, um, no, so Lazzardo. obviously it's huge. He said also, like, if it was a playoff game, I'm starting, which is good. Seemed obviously more precautionary than anything, having to sit there and endure the bullpen game on Saturday after losing on Friday night.

It was just awful, just awful. Didn't love that experience. Awful. But, yeah, I mean, he's done enough this year. He's not going to win Saoyang. I hope that it's, you know, just a, we need to make sure you're good for game one. And we'll take it from there. But the fact that it seems like they dodged a bullet is,

is just massive because it's everything. Guess what? They ain't winning the squad. Yeah. Yeah, they probably not winning with him, but they're definitely not winning with them. I agree. Huge news and obviously fingers crossed there.

All right, let's get to some of the big storylines from the weekend because there were a few. Let's start with the Bryce thing. The whole Bryce, the, obviously the base running mistake. And again, I mean, we know about a base running is that was,

that was unconscionable considering and that we've seen the same play more or less happening. One was the line drive, but it happened twice in the last few games with Bome and Marsh. And Harper, in that spot where that run would have been so freaking massive in that spot, it was incredibly disappointing from Bryce, not shocking with this team, but disappointing.

Then the next night, the Homer, the slow trot, obviously it doesn't end up going well when a cunea hits one and they end up bludgeoning them. What do you make it the whole weekend for Bryce? And also the fact that that seemed like the way the Phillies decided to, or Bryce decided to retaliate against Acuna, no, no brushback. No, I didn't think they were going to hit him, but still was it was in the air. It was a potential thing. Obviously with Bryce's thing, the team wasn't psyched with Acuna.

What do you make of the whole Bryce thing this week? Well, first off, I thought he was the only player that showed up for most of the series. Without a doubt, without a doubt, man. Like, I thought he was great on Friday. He had two big hits. The base running thing sucked. But it was a big hit. there to get you know it was a big hit it just you know it sucked and then yesterday i mean he smoked the

ball off the wall against dylan lee which is huge they couldn't do anything with it uh for a long time and then they eventually broke through which was nice um yeah i mean the base running thing i don't know it's just he's a dumb base runner he's always been a dumb base runner it's annoying that it happens just accepted about i know it's just annoying that the whole team is you know it'd be one thing if just bryce were it's like we could we we accept this about bryce it's his flaw we accept it could everyone else not suck at base rain too you guys aren't good enough to suck at base running yeah uh the slow trot like first off i didn't see it live i was out so i didn't feel the emotion in the moment so i it was you know sometimes you don't notice it always because you're not always

paying attention when they're how quickly like you could feel it wasn't quite reese like the rice one was the slowest i've ever seen anyone run around the bases that one against the mats but it was it felt like it you could tell even before he did the thing third and the points of like you could tell all right price is running slumber like there is no question this is purpose yeah and um i guess my thing is i don't love it in a in a first inning home run but i also think that he's trying to set a tone of like you know we're we're we're not to be messed with in a way and he's having his tea he's he's getting wheelers back in his mind you because we know wheeler's not psyched about this whole thing very clearly yeah the only other

problem is like maybe know that lzart was not pitching like if you if you do it like You can't lose 12 to 2 in the game. You do it. You look ridiculous. That's the problem. And I know he's not thinking about that as he's rounding the bases. I don't know. I didn't feel like, oh, they got a Cooney back thing at all.

But also, I just, I think there's a Bryce fatigue in the city with a lot of people. And I think the conversation has turned. I have no Bryce fatigue. I think he's, like he has. I love the guy. There's some frustration I have with him at some points. But overall, I think that we're watching a inner circle Hall of Famer that while he might. By the way, at 33 is having a real resurgent season.

He's been awesome. He's going to have 30 plus homers. He's going to close to 100 RBIs. He's now playing right field. I think a pretty respectable clip. I am shocked at how solid he's been. But I just think for the city, I think that there's like this, this slow, like you got to win something kind of turn.

And he's the only one that loses the playoff series. It's kind of like where we got with Donovan. Now it's not as bad as Donovan. And it's not poor one out for Bryce. I do think that there is a little bit of Bryce fatigue of like, think he does things all about him and stuff like that. So, you know, I think that this is one of these post seasons where Bryce needs to start having some moments again.

Like he's had a lot of, I think he's had a lot of big base hits this year, but he hasn't had a lot of big home runs this year. Like he needs another, another big postseason home run, I think, to kind of calm the flames that are out there in the city that really feel like they're just waiting for him to do something that people can get mad about.

So I think the reaction to it was like super strong. I didn't think it was that big of a deal. And obviously it was aided by them getting absolutely blown out. Me personally, I think in a bigger moment, let's say it's a seventh, eighth inning home run. Or God forbid, they hit a ninth inning home run in a big spot. Yeah. I would have. Only Kyle Schwerber and Edmundoosa.

No one else is allowed to do that. Yeah. I would be, you know, shirtless running down my neighborhood and all fired up. up a first inning home run does not hit nearly the same. Yeah, I think that was the real issue with it. It's just you look ridiculous when you end up losing 12-2. And because I'm with you, like I don't have any problem with the spirit of what he was doing. Like in general, you know, we're both pretty big proponents of, you know, have fun playing baseball,

you know, bat flips and, you know, it's watching it if it's definitely gone. Don't watch if it's not. But, you know, like, we're all right with players like having fun and, you know, doing things that are maybe a little bit, you know, against the old school way of playing, you know. But I, so I like the idea of him, you know, I think it's fun. It's sports and all that. And again, I do think that Zach Wheeler wanted someone to stand up for him. And Bryce did do that.

I think that that plays. I just, to your point, I think if you're going to do the Acuna thing, just hit him. Like, just hit him. What are we doing here? Like, especially you're losing 12 to, like throw it. Like, again, you're going to. And you know, I'm not the biggest proponent of throwing it, people. But like, if you're going to do it, do it.

So I appreciate Harper, Harper. And again, I'm not saying I would. I don't like throwing it at a 12-2 game. My point is I wouldn't say I'm doing it either. I'm just saying if you're going to hit him, hit him. Don't have Bryce go out there and do this trot where it sets Bryce up to look like an idiot when this plays out this way, you know? Yeah, but I also don't know if that was like some team meeting of Bryce. I don't either.

Bryce just might have done it. Yeah. I think Bryce just did it more than it. I think in his heart, I think he was trying to set a tone. I agree. I think it was, the heart behind it was a team positive thing. Like something he was trying to like do good for the gods, I think. And then he saw Grant Holman coming in.

And I don't think anyone knew who Grant Holman was until he was on the mound. Did you know who he was? No, I thought it was great. I'm like, Grant Holmes. Wait, what happened? No, no idea. Grant Holman threw a no hitter in the 2013 Little League World Series. Oh, wow.

Which is a fun little fact. That is a fun fact. How about that? I don't know if I needed to see him in the fourth inning of a game that they were, you know, the things were going all right until that point. And then if Bomer could scoop the ball at first base, maybe they're out of that editing. And who knows to the rest?

That game was crazy. Justin Crawford had a ball 421 feet. And I don't think anyone knows that happened. Unbelievable. I know. It's like the first ball he's hit to the outfield in a month. Well, that was his first home run since May 12th? Yeah.

I figured it was. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. All right. Let's get to some more stuff. By the way, Derek Hill, you mentioned him before. I sent when he had that basis clearing double, I sent you and Tucker a text saying it is actually crazy how high Derek Hill is on my list of if the season were on the line. You could have any Phillies hit her up. Who would you have up? Like, Derrick Hill's like top four for me. It's crazy. I'm a starter. And I trust that guy in big spots. I try. I mean, obviously the four-pinch hit home runs. It just seems like, you know, for a team that certainly the last. few years in the playoffs has not had guys who seemingly grabbed the moment when given the especially

the the not star guys you know Derek Hill I like I really will trust this guy when he's up in a big spot in the playoffs he he has been something man yeah there's some grab the moment guys with this team which which gives me a a little bit of hope a little bit of feeling though Edmundo him yeah listen I think it was good to see Stodder have three are three hits yesterday boom with the big hit yesterday boom starting to have some moments You know who I don't trust in a big moment, James? Troy Turner. Louis de Rize.

Oh, by the way, I meant to get to that. Let's just do it now. I saw your tweet. I think people probably surprised to see it. Something to the effect of, listen, I love Louisa Rize. He's going to win the batting title. I don't want the Phillies to resign him.

I was shocked by that. Well, first off, definitely don't love Louisa Rize. I know. You said he's going to win the batting titles, what you said. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It is, it's just funny that he's probably going to win the batting title, and I could not have less interest in resigning him.

I'd probably rather sign Bowman with this. point. Stop. Stop. I will say it is shocking how when you watch him every day, how like, oh, yeah, when you, when you just always hit singles, it really is way less impactful. This is what everyone was talking about. Hey, this is why he only gets one of your deals and has been on five teams or whatever.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. But he's Tony Gwen. He's Tony Gwen. People forget that. Once again, analytics. So, so honestly, I was a little on tilt yesterday with the game. I don't know if that was. I'm surprised.

You? Well, it was so funny. I said to Jill. I said a joke because it's my last day of paternity. So I'm back in. What a thrill. Look at you. Back at the year.

Nice for you to come back. Eagles game day reaction. Nice you to show up for work. It's good. I know. It was a little early. I was going to wait until, you know, after the Titans game. That's good.

And see what all Caleb can do against the team. He's legit. He's legit. Dude, he's awesome. Yeah. But he might be the most physically gifted quarterback. I've ever seen in my life legitimately. He's so good.

I mean, Josh Allen exists. Yeah, but no, I'm talking like, but Caleb is a better thrower. I think he's a better thrower. Like, yes, in terms of size and a lot, but I think Caleb's a better thrower than Josh Allen. Maybe a quicker trigger. Yeah, and also the release, yeah, the release and also, yeah,

anyway, yeah, you're right. Josh Allen is there too, but I'm, Caleb's awesome. Yeah, yeah, no. I mean, I'm, I, I like seeing good quarterbacks play, and I want to be good quarterback play. Anyway, the, um, Just like our guy here in Philly was great yesterday. Well, he finally did what I asked him to do.

Junk plays for the air for the ball in the air. Everyone's like, everyone's like, who it's like, yeah, I told you. Anyway. Football guy. Sean Manion want to know. Anyway. Good work. That's pretty good, by you.

Yeah. It's going to be a long year. Yeah, it is, buddy. It is. I'm happy we do a Phillies pod, not an ego spot. Yeah. Sean Manning's want to know. Drink up, baby.

Fantasy Football Happy Hour is here to get you wins and have some laughs. Matthew Berry here and my podcast, Fantasy Football Happy Hour, has the sleepers bus and starts it advice you need to win your league. We're diving into the tape, we're crunching the numbers to bring you sleepers. Bus weekly starts-it advice, whether you're defending a title or desperately avoiding last place. I've got you covered every single weekday. The bar is open. It's Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Barry, wherever you get your podcasts.

Anyway, the Shoot, where the heck was I going with that? Oh, a rise. So, yes, I was on tilt yesterday. I really needed that win. I said to Jill, I was like, I know it's my last day of eternity. I feel like a little bit of a deadbeat

because we're not really going outside. And, you know, I know that you play at 430. So it's turning into about one to seven. Yeah, it's a day. But I was like, I need this win. We need this. We're going to manage. So watching a rise, put down a.

Bunt attempt with Harper on second base sent me up a wall. The amount of little sloppy weak pop-outs on first pitches have been driving me crazy. I want him to be a pest. I don't want him to be an easy out. And the three-two swings at a ball that's a foot out the zone. All the balls are. I know he never strikes out, but part of it is because he swings at everything. It's crazy, man.

Take a walk. Don't swing. Don't swing. you're just going to hit it. And to your point, like, the amount of times you'll swing it like a pitch is like way inside. And every time you just insides out it and it's a lazy fly ball to left field. Like I'm done with that. Like enough, man. Take a walk. Take a freaking walk, Louise. Like, oh my gosh. So again, he's not awful. It's just like how impactful is a player who is only valuable when he hits with runners and score. position and he's not even hitting that well with runners and scoring position. People are like putting the top of the lineup. Why?

I don't want him at the top of the lineup. He should be betting six. Like this is a whole team that should be batting six after Harper. But like, if he's, Schwerber, Schwerber is, all right. I don't know. If he's batting six, I can handle it. It's just he's in that spot where it's a lot of runners and scoring position.

And the amount of just pop outs, it's like you're supposed to be a, an, artist with the back. Yeah, you're right. How do you find the shortstop every time for a double play? This is a great point. You're right about that. Like there is it. And that's what the Tony Gwynn thing, first of all, it's a different time and a different sports. So a player like Tony Quinn has a different role. But Tony Gwyn was a way better hitter than Luis Vries.

Like this is nonsensical. Like Tony Gwyn was an actual artist with the bat. Like that guy was a true blue like a real hitter. You know, like it, I hate that he's Tony Gwynn because he's not Tony Gwyn. with Friday night, Friday night. Again, Harper on second base before the, or what, I think it was, yes, like Harper was on second. It can't move him over. Like he, he pops out to third base.

And it's like, if you should be able to at least giving your back to ball skills. Yeah, hit a ball to the right side. Like hit a ball to the right side. So again, he's not like, I hope he gets in a hot streak. I hope that his value shows in the postseason. I really do. Well, especially if this team goes. like if we see the guys chasing and stuff,

like he could be someone who at least, you know, can break up, you know, a bunch of guys hitting poorly, at least get some runners on whatever, potentially. Yeah, it's just I'm getting real sick and tired of the, oh, he never strikes out thing. Oh, he's going to win the batting title. Oh, it's like, I watch him every single game.

That he is not an impactful player. He is the worst case you can have for batting average matters. He's approaching Ben Revere. territory where it's a hollow 3.313. Minus the speed, right? Well, the problem is we got a Revere at second base and we have a Revere arm in center field. Yeah.

How the hell? And this is not to pick on Justin Crawford. But that ball on Friday night is a- Was awful. It's a short pop-up to center field. It was as short. Like, honestly, I am shocked to even trying to score. He's a catcher. He's a catcher.

And he's a fast catcher. But, like, I was shocked to, even went for it and it was he was clearly safe like it was like no problem every single time he throws it's like a little lollipop coming out of the arm it's crazy he gets nothing on it every single time there's a one time where it's like wow he really got behind that one and let it lose i would love to know the velocity on that throw because i i would i don't think that was over 90 miles an hour i think like remember the good old days of adoles his freaking canon talk well we got like a month and a half of it it was like gorgeous and it's like oh my gosh i mean

I was thinking about Victorino in Atlanta where he saved the game. Yeah, that's an old timer. Lidge's perfect season, like just a seed to home. Meanwhile, we got this guy, a little, little pea shooter, just like, like, that's how he throws. Like, when the ball comes out, this is when Justin Crawford throws the ball, it goes, he, peon, like, that's it. There's no, there's no.

That's perfect. That's exactly. And it's like, there's no, like, gumption body at all. Oh, my God. That is so good. Yeah. So that's my complaining, complaining corner is Luis de Risen and Justin Crawford's arm in center field. But yeah, a rise, like, I hope his value in the postseason where it's like, oh, he just puts the bat on the ball and flips one over the second baseman's head or shortstop's head and keeps the train moving.

But my goodness, right now it's a tough, tough watch. Yeah, yeah, I'm with you. It really is. All right. Take back in a sec. Anything else from like pitching wise? Obviously, Nola, again, I mean, we've talked about it. I don't think anything new happened, but Nola just continues to, like,

I'm at the point where when, when Nola starts a playoff game, if he, if he does, if they get past that first round, like, I'm going to feel pretty solid about it. I'm not going to be like, he's going to dominate, but I won't, I won't be terrified. I'll be a lot more concerned. They're not going to hit the Nol's not going to pitch well. Like, I can't believe I'm in this spot. It's awesome. We started him or Sanchez game three right now.

Dude, I, like, you would start to, obviously, but like, it's not the, though. I mean, without a doubt, like, today, if I had to, like, if, You said you die if the Phillies lose this game. I might start Aaronola today. Like I might. It's crazy. I have sent you that text multiple times. Yes, you have.

Yeah, yeah, totally true. I will die at the Phillies lose. Yes. You said it earlier in the pod already. Yes. I did want Friday night. I didn't want to die. Yeah, I know.

I know. But again, kind of liked it. Anyway. But anyway, anyway. Yeah, no, Noah is, it's hard to, it's hard to wrap your mind around. It's hard to put into words. It's been, it's just like I'm watching prime Aaron Noah.

Yeah, in big spots. I mean, that was a big spot. Yeah. Huge spot. And credit to him, man. I'm,

I'm, for as much as Aaron Noah drives me crazy. He is a lifetime Philly. He's going to be top three in a lot of pitching categories. I'm happy that he is having this resurgence 100%. And, You know, selfishly,

thinking about the next four years, it seemed like we're going to have a long guy. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. And the fact that he still has something left is, is just huge for them. It's no, like if he's going to settle in

and be like the five for the next four years, I think you feel pretty good about that. So, yeah, I keep kind of waiting for the other shoot at drop, but interestingly enough, I don't have this big fear, and it's probably a mistake, but I don't have this.

It's going to drop it the worst possible time. Oh, playoff game. No doubt about it. No doubt about it. But I don't have this big, Aaronnola fear. I just kind of expected to go out and do well.

Yeah, it's crazy, man. And if you had said, and look, not that I would have been bullish on either one, but if you had said, whose contractor would the years made Tray worse,

but like, I definitely thought Nola was more cooked than Trey. Now it's like, not even a question. You know, the Trey contract,

obviously it was worse because of the years, but I have so much more faith than Nolan, which is crazy. Yeah, it's funny with Trey. Like,

I don't, I just don't think he's cooked. Like, the speed is still there. Everything's still there. It's just, he's having, I think he's having a horrible year.

He's having a horrible year. Well, he's clearly, we've seen it enough. He gets in his head. He is an in his head guy, you know? season could actually be a good thing for Trey of like this is my new season and there's a chance again

that's the beautiful thing about this is like all that guy needs is one great playoff run and winning a world series to change his narrative forever forever in this city like it's that simple and it's not simple but it's it is crazy where where he one good month can completely and totally rewrite his legacy here and that's just such a it's right in front of him it's all in front of him well and he can look at his good pal Aaron Nola is a good that's right handful of that, who was horrendous in 2023 and then made some random minor little adjustment and had two good stars in the postseason. And they're like, here's seven years 172.

Come on down. So again, it can change a lot of things, including team planning. But nevertheless, Tray is here no matter what. Yeah. Unfortunately. All right. Take back in a sec, but Elliot, but Jack. Ooh.

Geez. I'm on fire. I called Jesus Jose called you Elliott. I'm about to ask you a question. I already know you know the answer. or two, but Jack, did you know that one and three people suffer from nausea? I do now. Yeah, you're right.

You do. My wife, family, who you know, wonderful person. She suffers from nausea, and it's, it's been horrible. It's a real problem. It is. It's a, you look like you're mocking me. I'm dead serious. Like, she turns green as we're driving her heads between her legs.

Zoe and I are driving, like talking quietly because noise even bothers her. That's not. That's not sure. Don't lie to listeners. It's impossible. I know. I know. We try to.

We try to. We do our best. It's horrible, man. And it's really been an impediment in our lives. Like a cruise, yeah, right, not even an option. We can barely get on a boat, period. It is like ruins. Every trip we take, it is a real, like, awful thing.

For people who are with people who suffer from nausea, like, you know, it really can ruin a day. It can ruin a trip. It can ruin a lot of things. And it ruined a lot for me and Emily. Until Relief Band came into our life, relief ban has been a miracle for us. It's been life changing. Now we drive along, we're talking, we're listening to music. We're happy. We're talking about taking a cruise.

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Put relief ban on your wrist and turn nausea off. Go to reliefband.com and use promo code James. That's JAMES for 20% off. Reliefman.com promo code James. All right, Fritzie. All right, I thought, I think painters, painters regressing a little bit. Like the fastball was down. Some of the numbers were down.

It was funny, kind of blew Ocuna, Coonias doors off in the first inning, which was hilarious to watch. Also made it, you know, hurt a little bit. We did it out with Farland's fastball week before. But regardless, yeah, it just, the stuff doesn't look like it's popping as much. The command is pretty off. I kind of feel like this is fatigue at this point. You know, he's pushed a lot this year.

Yeah, yeah. most things he's ever pitched and certainly the highest level innings too. And for me personally, I think he's shown enough signs to where like, I think this is a successful season. Like not successful, but I think this is not like when this season started and then when he got sent down, we thought this is a disaster season for Andrew Painter, his development is future. It became a solid season. I think it went from a disaster to okay. I think when he when he got sent down and if he had never come up, there was a lot more angst about him in the rotation next year.

And for him, the confidence he caught from coming back up, all that. Yeah. But I think now that there is a, people can have the conversation of, okay, now with a fully healthy off season and the things that you figured out this year,

I expect the edge of painter to take a real step forward next year. Now, he didn't have his best up and he still pitched five innings one run. Now the Braves also kind of bailed him out at some points. You know, he, The big thing for me is the command. And I think the one thing that has really, really changed for him is if he did not develop that new changeup,

I think that would have been a early season, Andrew Painter start where he's just getting smoked all over the, all over the field. But that change up is such a difference maker for him and the right on right changeups he throws with it. You know, right on right changeups feel like they're having a bit of a moment, which is funny. Like it's like a pitch that, I think, you know, Sarah said a whole breakdown of like the raise of the first team to really dive in and become this. team that's going to throw right on right changeups and left on left changeups. That's going to be the next big wave of pitching. Love this. Love this.

I never understood why it wasn't a, I don't know. Same. Same. You know, it changed was a change up, right? Yeah. So,

so, so, um, so, so it wasn't a, obviously it wasn't a disaster start. He did his job and got it through it. I just think that, I think there's been a, the last two starts of regression to where he was,

closer where he was early in the season, uh, versus where he was, you know, Twins, Orioles, D-BACs starts, Cardinal start. But regardless, it's been a, it's been a mostly a win for Andrew Panor this year. And I think real quick, I think, again, I know we say it all the time, but like, Caleb Coffam and his group just deserve so much credit.

I mean, obviously we've talked about the Sanchez development, all these things, I mean, the sweeper with those are all this stuff they have done. They are so good at figuring out what a guy, like, what pitch a guy should, should throw and develop and like, what's his best stuff and options? like they're really good at that type of stuff. It's been really impressive. Yeah, I mean, he is an all-time assistant coach in Philadelphia. I agree.

He is, he is integral to this team's success of the last five years. I mean, Caleb Gotham is the Phillies big fan. He is, you know, Stowell and Jim Johnson and all that. Like, he's, he's that for the Phillies. He's an absolute difference maker. And his whole, I mean, it's, it's him and it trickles down to everything in the minor leagues. I mean, he, it's, it's all Caleb Cotham's philosophy. So I think that's really, really interesting.

I think they need that on the hitting side as well, but maybe they're getting there. But, but yeah, no, Coffin's huge. Painters, you know, Panis Painter and then Lazzardo, I mean, Lazardo's turning into a top five pitcher in baseball, whereas he was a cast off for Starlink Coppa and off season a half ago. It is funny. We talked about him being, you know, the Wheeler thing at the time of the trade. Yeah, sure.

And it's actually starting to slowly play out that way. It's unbelievable. I mean, it wasn't, it's actually. actually like incredibly similar when you really look at it. When you look at the pedigree coming in, the injuries, the end of the flashes, that great half of season. And then they really eerily similar, actually. Yeah, it's a great point.

Yeah. And thankfully, they signed them before the season. Yeah. Seriously. After the season, would have got a little expensive. Would have got a little expensive. I mean, they probably save it.

It's five for one, 35. They signed him for. I think if they do it in the off season, it's like 5-2-20, something like that maybe, maybe more. Well, I was going to start at least at the C's contract, 7-2-10. Okay. So, yeah. Okay, okay. So probably, yeah, I'm a little high on the AV.

But I was thinking like $2.22. The point is like they're going to get in that range of $1. It's starting with the two, regardless of whatever deal it is, the starting with the two. Okay, so that's really all I have. We talked about everything else. Quick little minor league minute. Yeah, buddy.

Redding clinched their first playoff birth. Come on, man. Did you know that I know that there are minor league playoffs? You always have? I always have. And Gage would be on the mound tomorrow. So Tuesday night up in baseball town. a playoff Facebook first time since since 2019.

So that'll be exciting, looking forward to watching that. That's probably why. If they've been the playoffs more during the history of this pod, we probably would have talked about it more. Yeah. Although I think there's been a, I think there's been an uptick in my own.

That's my point. Recent years, if they had, you know, been better maybe, you know, we would have been there. Yeah.

Yep. And congratulations to Brian Rincone, who is now a top 100 prospect about time. If he was a dog, I saw your tweet. It's a good tweet. He's Dodgers prospect. He'd be in the top 50s.

But regardless. Regardless. So, but he and he, he was one, he ended up one double short of a 25, 25, 25, 25, 25. So quick, because that's where I want to go with this. Because we've talked about him for a little while. We always knew like smooth butter defensively, like a real legit, legit, high level shortstop defensively prospect. The way you talked about him, I am floored at this 25, 20, 20. thing, particularly the power.

Yeah. How real and sustainable do you think this is? Is this a lucky year? Obviously, it's not all luck, but is this like, you know, got a little lucky and it's a nice improvement? Or is this something where like, because again, if this is real, if this is something he can build on, I mean, if that could, he could turn into a top 10, like theoretically, you know, if you're a 30 homer hitter who plays some of the best shortstop in the league,

I mean, that's an incredibly valuable baseball player. Yeah, so I don't think he'll be, I think he's a 2020 guy at the big, I think he could be a 2020 guy at the bigger level, which is, which is huge. I think the biggest thing that's happened for Rincon is he's gotten healthy this year. See, my thing with Rincon is I thought he's your typical, like, middle 2000s, sorry, it's been so long, you know, he's like a middle 2010's prospect where it was glove first and the bat had no chance of, like, ever developing. Like Archimedes Gamboa.

Oh, what a name. Like Luis, the original Luis Garcia. Sure, yeah. All these guys, Starlin Gaba. Yeah. But I mean, Galvis when he came up and all that. Yeah. He goes back to Galvis really.

He was the first one. But all they did was draft these, like, sick defensive players that had no chance to hit. The thing that's happened with Rincones is he's obviously a bigger frame. I think he's filling out. So I think him filling out and. and tapping into more of his power has been a big development. How old is he? He's 22.

Okay. But it's so funny. I think the Phillies don't even know what they have here because, and I wonder how much he's going to possibly change their plans. And it's like, I think he's still trade bait. But if he's this, if he's a possible 25, 25, 25, 25 guy and we'll see if it happens at the big league level, then. But even 2020 with the shortstop.

I know. It's a real player, man. It's a real player. So maybe you don't just give up on him. So I don't know. But I think that he has worked his way into the mix. I mean, he is. Well, it's thrilling, man, finally, right?

Like these type of things. I mean, how many times did we talk about Max Frickin Muncie on this pod over the years early on all that? Like just these guys who kind of just end up being way better than the prospect you expected them to be, who just develop at a level that is so unexpected that they can turn into this like massive win for the franchise. Like the Phillies have not had those. And that,

that is a massive thing if they can start to get these type of things. Yeah, it's just, you know, when you look at where they're at shortstop wise, I mean, they got six guys. They have five guys that I really believe in.

Forrara. Including one they just drafted in the first round, you know? Yeah. So, I mean, you have, you have Aiden,

you have Rincon, you have Spangler, you have Parra, you have Juan Via Vincencio, and then this is for Mitch Rupert, but Matthew Ferrara is in there as well, who's sick defensively and a really good second half for Clearwater, and also not to get ahead of myself, but like the international class, they are bringing in a high level shortstop. So it's like they almost have so many short stops that is it, does he become expendable, but also do you want to make him expendable? because he could also be a really, really solid player.

Also, do you not re-sign Louisarise? Because Rencon can play second base or, God forbid, you can move straight to short or straight to left field. Do you not resign Alec Bone because Aidan Miller is coming up? And like, do you have this little bit of a rebuild on the fly where all of a sudden you have, you know, now what they probably will do is Rincone, AAA. I don't know, but Rincone AAA and then, you know, you let stop play out next year, see where it goes.

It'd be as great. You resign and if not, you bring up Rincone and he's your, second basement shortstop, whatever. But like, you can start to slowly dream on, you know, Rancone, Aden, Stott as an infield, which is a pretty, like you go from wherever they are defensively now to that, pretty quickly. Like, it's exciting that it feels like a lot of the guys are knocking on the doorstep

of the, of the big league level. Like, Gage Wood is going to be big league ready next year. Carson D. Martini is going to be big, right. I mean, he's, he's killing the ball for Redding right now. I mean, he looks awesome. Aiden will be up next year. Like, you have, there's a lot of the guys that you kind of dreamt on that are starting to get closer and closer and closer.

And that comes with wherever Red Terrier's rocket ship kind of takes off from. And all of a sudden, he could be 19, 20, like you hope. And being in the mix to be up. Yeah. And be a factor. So, you know, it really feels like we're starting to see the light that's still further away. You're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and getting some of these guys up here. Well, it's so crucial we talk about all the time, but especially with the way that is specifically the way this team is built right now where we've talked about it, these contracts that are, you know, and some guys look better than others and all that, but they are all kind of aging together.

They got a bunch of guys who are aging into their mid 30s, late 30s, a lot of money all at the same time. The only way that can work is if you have cheap young guys who can come up and fill those guys. apps both money-wise and play-wise and start to get better as the old guys get worse and all that. Like, it's the only way that you can sustain this if you're not a team that can spend billions of dollars every year, you know? So it's it's so important. And to your point, too, like, I know that the, and for the history of the franchise, the Phillies drafting development deserves all kinds of criticism.

They're one of the worst ever in the sport in terms of drafting and development. But this group now, I think, and we talk about it, but I think they, I don't think people realize enough the hole that these guys were digging out from both in terms of what was already there, but also in terms of processes, in terms of the way they function, in terms of setting up, like, to the point about Kotterman, it takes time for someone to come in and set up a pitching school or pitching system, whatever that you follow throughout this. Like, the Phillies were functioning at such a poor level as an organization in these types of ways, behind the scenes, front office, all this stuff. Like, they were really digging out of something. And,

And I think that people are going to start to see just how good these guys are over the next few years as it starts to really grow. Yeah. Well, and like drafts-wise, they always have some of the least amount of slot money because of what they're doing with the luxury tax stuff. And obviously we'll see all. They've lost picks too. The Cassiana's one. They've lost, you know, all that stuff. Yeah.

Trey. I mean, they've lost a lot of picks over the years. And, you know, I think that some philosophies had to change in the international market. So again, this is why we've always been about the 2030s is. always we're going to start seeing some of the the fruits of our labor being uh bearing itself out so yeah there's a there's a lot of exciting stuff happening and and redding congratulations and i can't wait to can't wait to watch this week and see our guys but i think there's like six big leaguers in the in the one three six in the lineup i love that that's huge man 27 arroon's going to be special he's he's on a hot

streak right now as he's ending his uh his first season up in redding it was always a two-year plan and he's going to be awesome next year. So things are moving in the right direction. I love it, man. I'm very much more bullish about the future than I used to be in that. That's really, really, really exciting. All right. Anything else, Fritzing?

That's it. All right. Again, Thursday night, the borough in Downingtown, it's going to be awesome. We're going to have a great time come hang out with us. Thursday night football in addition to Philly's Metson. Who knows? Maybe if Redden's playing a playoff game, we can get them to pot it up there. Yeah, come on.

You can make a laptop and put it on. classic fruit style, you know. And myelb.tv. Let's go. Come on. Yeah, buddy. All right. We'll be back later in the week. Two against the off today. Two against the Nats, then the Mets series. Obviously, this is a spot where you need them to win some games. The Mets and Nationals not as good as the Phillies.

And also we made before that intra-division record is the next tiebreaker. So these games do matter from that perspective, too. I'm nervous about the Mets series. Of course. Are you kidding me? Of course. Of course. Carson Benj is definitely going to have a moment against us. I bet everything on it. guy's awesome. Benj, Honduras hot, Soto Soto.

They've had a bad year, but I, if I were a Mets fan, I would be a little excited about some of the stuff coming. Yeah, I think that they're building momentum heading into next year. Yeah. So, you know, they had to reset, I guess, the franchise and get some of the old Mets out there. But, yeah, the, the, the, the, the Mets next year, I think it'll be a lot different than the Mets this year. And I do not love a four game set up in New York at all.

No, they're going to want to. They're going to want, they'll do everything they can. These are, these are as big a games as they have left to try and screw the Phillies. You know, live with a split. Live with a split. In a second. Sweep the Nats and then take a split four and two on the week. I'm happy.

And I'll take three and three. Don't get me wrong. All right. All right. We'll be back later in the week after the Nats series again, Thursday night in the borough. It's going to be awesome. Until that, he's fruit themselves.