High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - It's Not a Big Deal But That Sucked

Episode Date: April 3, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to a disappointing start to the Phillies season. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes! It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies on Odyssey and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yeah! It is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. Jack Fritz, the season started exactly like we thought it would. Just kidding.

How you doing? I got nothing. What a great time it was. I'm so happy baseball's back. We made a whole offseason. We're so excited about the Bills. Most anticipated beginning in over a decade. Fun times.

Yeah, it is. It's awful. It's not what I needed, Jack, alright? I really, I'm not panicking. It's three games. Whatever. If it happened in July, we wouldn't even talk about it. But, like, come on, man. Like, come on, man! Give us something? Yes! Give us something?

So, I haven't won a bet since Saturday. Walker's 0-3 at the Phils. Not great. Listen, this kid already might be a mistake. Named him Walkerer and they're facing the rangers start the season so don't adjust that but um all right so i'm not hitting the panic button but i'm i'm definitely a bit concerned oh wow i was not expecting it wow like i did we watch we watch them this weekend, right?

Yeah, we did. And it really started on opening day when I saw the lineup, and I was like, hold on. Like, we went from our lineup is the deepest in baseball. We're going to have a loaded hitter hitting eight. Like, all we need is, like, Marsh and Stott and Boehm, like, to take minor steps forward, and this is a nasty lineup. And now it's like hold on i got jake cave who mr spring training and then listen hopefully he he's fine i mean

i'm sure i'm sure he's nervous that like i had an unbelievable spring and now i gotta now i'm putting that kind of pressure on my shoulders when the season starts i'm sure there's pressure there um and then i look at the lineup last night it's josh harrison batting six you didn't like that josh harrison you don't think josh har Harrison should be batting sixth in a lineup in Major League Baseball today? No. So my problem is, and my concern really is, is that we went from having legitimate depth at a bunch of different places. Whether it was a starting rotation. Like, Bailey Falter was our sixth starter.

Now he's our fourth starter. You had all these guys in the line. Edmundo Sosa can come off the bench. Josh Harrison can come off the bench. Derek Hall can come off the bench. Derek Hall can come off the bench in a pinch. And now we're relying on those guys to carry them until Bryce gets back. Because I look at the lineup, and I'm like, they're just missing a big bat.

They are missing a big bat. Like, they are missing a big bat. And that big bat is Bryce Harper. And the thing that would have helped them get to Bryce Harper coming back, obviously, would be 30 home runs from Reese Hoskins. Like, so it's like all that's kind of culminating of like, oh, my God, did we make a big miss here in our evaluations? And it just looked like a team that was a hitter short all weekend long. You know, it was like a big spot's coming up. The wrong guy's usually up. Oh, Pashy's coming up.

Like, it's the first weekend of the year. Like, the guy is obviously a project. He obviously doesn't work. He's been here for two days. Yeah. And we're playing him on Sunday night on national TV. Like, I get it's a lefty, but hold on. You told Brandon Marshall all year, like, you're our guy.

You're our guy. You're our guy. We're pulling him for— You got to hit off a lefty in the opener against reliever. Like, it was mind—you get it off day Friday. It's not like you're tired. So it was a disheartening weekend. I'm not hitting the panic button, but there was a part of me that was looking at the lineup,

and I was like, this isn't what I kind of envisioned. And the part that stinks about it is that now it's like, well, JT has to be unreal, and Castellanos has to be back to Castellanos. All these things were like, we have the big pieces around them to where we don't need to rely on them to kind of carry the offense. And that's not where they are right now. Like, these guys all have to kind of play out of body in a way. And it's just like, it's a tad scary.

It's a tad scary. See, I'm not there yet. I get it. And I did feel that with the lineup, certainly. I was like, oh, you know, this isn't quite what I was expecting coming in. And the Reese injury, I think from that perspective, we didn't feel that just looking at the lineup and how the lineup played out. But look, it's three games in Texas.

For some reason, the Texas Rangers might as well be the 27 Yankees when they're facing the Phillies. 12 straight. What the hell is that? A decade almost. I hate the NFC East thing where it's like we haven't had a division winner back to back

years since 2004. I think this is worse. The fact that they just can't beat them. They are the greatest baseball team ever created against the Phillies. It's absurd. There's something weird about Texas Rangers. Also, there's been this thing where people just think the Rangers are a bad team.

Yeah, well, they were bad last year. They were bad last year. But at the same time, like. They spent money. They're trying to win at least. They got some dudes. I mean, the top four, their lineup's really good. Like, that's legit with those four guys.

Yeah. All those guys can hit. Yeah, well, yeah. I mean, Seager had a record for home runs last year by a left-handed shortstop. And Semien's a beast. Nathaniel Lowe can hit. Odolz Garcia's a stud all of a sudden. Yeah, he finally stops striking out all the time.

And then they do have DeGromavaldi, Martin Perez. I think there's this notion that everyone looked at last year and they were like, oh my god, the Rangers are a pushover. Well, their over-under was 81.5. Yeah, Vegas knew that they were. So they're about 500.

Yeah, but that's the right number for them. But, yeah, look, I get it, and it was frustrating. But, look, Castie looked good. I mean, you look for things that you take some positives from the weekend. Castellanos looked strong at the plate, got some walks, got some hits. And, again, look, honestly, it's so funny because I didn't come out of it being concerned about the lineup.

I feel like they'll hit. I mean, Schwarber did nothing. Turner didn't do that much. Like, they'll get there. My biggest worry was wearing tear and tired Aaron Nola coming out of the weekend and seeing how Nola pitched and the pitch clock and how it affected him.

So, like, there are things that you look at, and I think the depth of the pitching staff is something we talked about coming into the season. That was a concern coming into the season. And to your point, having to start, and I know he's the four, but starting Bailey Fulter in game three, who was the best starter of the weekend by the Phillies, no less. Like we thought.

Like we thought. The stopper, he's back. Didn't score enough runs to be a stopper. He did his job. He did his job. He did his job. But I think with the Wheeler-Nola thing, I worry about how deep they went in the last year and whether they're going to need blows throughout the season

and if they're a little worn down and all that. So that's a general concern to me, but I can't get too worked up over three games. I can't get there. I get your point because the lineup, I did feel that when I looked at the lineup. I was like, hold on. Wait a minute.

They're supposed to have the best lineup. I mean, okay. All right. So I do think that matters. And look, Harper, I mean, you know, if you want real silver lining from the weekend, it's what Topper said about him last night, the vibe around Harper coming back and all that. I think that's really good. That's exciting. But they can't not hit around Harper coming back and all that, I think that's really good. That's exciting.

But they can't not hit until Harper comes back. Right. That's for sure. Right. Well, and I guess my thing with Nola and Wheeler and really just a majority of the pitching staff is that none of them looked ready to go. Like none of them looked ready to go.

And I'm already over the complaining about the pitch clock. You had all spring training to figure it out. I know. That was the one part of the norm of Bryce. It's like, oh, get our game back. It's like, bro, it ain't changing. This ain't changing, pal. Get used to it.

Get on board, buddy. Well, and it's like, well, they do have to get on board with it because it's not going anywhere. But it sounds so excuse- yeah it does and it's like there's been plenty of pitchers that have been able to adjust to it and everyone else is doing the exact same thing you are you're not no one's targeting the phillies and say you guys are the problem even though i think wheeler and nola were in the top 10 of slowest bases last year yeah i feel like nola like especially the runners on base thing it was my God, it was awful. I know.

It was just legitimately awful. Great. It's like I'm a big, my new phrase is, no excuses, just explanations. And it does feel like it could be an explanation for some of what we saw. Yeah.

But I'm with you. It's a loser mentality. Well, it's just like we got to figure it out. And you had all spring training. So, but the figure it out. And you had all spring training. So, um, but the command was off. Especially with Wheeler, like,

there was a point, he was throwing like 92. You know? Yeah, he got quickly. It was like the third inning and started dropping. Yeah, and what the part where it's like, I'm not gonna really blame the coaches or whatever. These guys have been around for a while. Wheeler and Nola have been around for a while. They should know their bodies well enough to where it's like, I'm not going to really blame the coaches or whatever. These guys have been around for a while. Wheeler and Nola have been around for a while.

They should know their bodies well enough to where it's like, I know what it needs to take to get my body ready to go for opening day. But there was a lot of that. Everything looked like they're just kind of hanging around until June. You know what I mean? Yeah, it sounds familiar. Like, it just looked like it was, it wasn't a total sense of urgency.

I felt like none of it. It didn't feel that way. Because when they went up 5-0, it was like, oh, this is who we are now. Here we go. And they're, like, flying around the bases. Like, triple after triple, and yeah. And, you know, you see

Wheeler and Nola struggle the way they do. You see Sir Anthony who really I mean, one of the more under-talked things about spring training was like, he just didn't look good. And he got, you know, lit up on Saturday. Yeah, he looked horrible. And a lot of these... Now a low leverage spot, you know, closer

type guys in those, you know, seven to three games. We've seen that many, many, many times where a guy comes in in that spot and just gets hit up because he needs that pressure or whatever it is. But certain things pitch enough around the, you know, pitching enough different spots. You wouldn't think that would be the case. No. You know, Soto was terrible on Thursday, but last night he is.

He looks awesome. He's like, oh, good. He's nasty. That was sick, dude. There he is. So, yeah, I mean, overall, obviously, it's more of an annoying weekend more than anything. And again, if this happens in July, no one cares. It's just like, oh, whatever. They had a bad series.

They can't beat the Rangers. Ha, ha, ha, ha. No one's doing the ha, ha, ha. No, there's no ha, ha's. But now it's like, well, this is when everyone's kind of paying Rangers. Ha ha ha ha. No one's doing the ha ha ha. No, there's no ha ha's. But now it's like, well, this is, you know, this is when everyone's kind of paying attention. Everyone's watching it.

It feels like, in a way, I feel bad for Enola because, like, whenever anyone's always watching, it's like, here comes the meltdown in the fifth inning. But at the same time, you know, you look at how they're kind of constructed and you start thinking about, like, you know about what they did when Harper went out last year. They went 32-20, but there was a bit of a, we can't let this whole thing fall apart. And there was a part of me in watching the games over the weekend

that was like, man, maybe they really do miss having Reese around. And they miss having their leader who can kind of say something when it needs to be said. And just kind of having that cog in the locker room, in the lineup to kind of be like, okay, we got this. Calm down. Figure it out. And maybe they're just in a bit of a downer mood. I mean, look, they call him captain, and they lost him for the season. I mean, that was a tough injury at the end of spring training.

You're pretty much all getting ready to come north, and then that happens. It is pot. Look, I think your point, losing Reese from a chemistry, motivation perspective, but also just to your point, the kind of shock of it happening when it did could have deflated some of their sales, so to speak, or the win from their sales. Yeah, well, and because they talk about how important he is to everything they do, culture-wise, all that. And I think that there could be this portion of maybe the team or whatever that's like, man, Bryce is out. Rangers missing some time. Painters missing some time.

Now Reese is hurt. Like the ring slams. I know. I'm married. Letting people know. Yeah. Don't forget it. And now it's like, man, are we going to be able to catch a break here?

Like are we going to be able to catch a break here? Are we going to be able to get us? And I think if it happened mid-season, there's a bit of a different feel to it. There's a bit of a rally around it. But the fact that it happened in spring training, so you can't even get the season started before, it had to be deflating a little bit. And they looked a little bit deflated this weekend when it came to having a little bit and they they they looked a little bit deflated this weekend when it came to like having that that little bit of edge i know like it's not like reese is the

most like fiery player but at least like in the locker room and at least behind the scenes like he wasn't even he wasn't able to be there because he had the acl surgery like bryce is there you know that was nice i'm sure um but like reese wasn't able to be there so i think there's a portion of slow start a bit of like a bit of you know this is going to be there. So I think there's a portion of slow start, a bit of like, a bit of, you know, this is going to be a struggle. Great. That's great. So good. We're on to the Yankees. Yeah, no problem. Yankees are pretty good. So, you know, look, it, the most frustrating thing is like we talked about so many times coming in, if there ever, there was a season and, you know, the last decade where you're like,

all right, I just want them to start hot. I want people to be invested in this team. I want people to go out to the ballpark. It's this year, and that's what's so frustrating about this start because they have a real opportunity, like we talked about, to grab the excitement that this city had last run, which was the most exciting thing that's happened in this city in a decade. Certainly felt that way. Obviously the Eagles Super Bowl

run was fun, but it felt so special and so meaningful that everyone was back in on the Phillies and it's like, oh, Texas. Just frittered away. There they are. There's the team. I did feel like we're back. That was my

whole thought all weekend was like, yep, yep, yep, yep. We got a special three weeks in October, and then it's like same old story, same old story. Well, but I think that's also the unfair part of the beginning of the season is that I think people thought they were going to be like October again. And it's just like, can we? So I know I am definitely more concerned than you in a way, but I'm also at the same time like, holy cow. Like, holy cow with the freaking it's over, this is who they were, they're a bunch of losers.

All they did was get hot for three weeks in October and Noel is this and Wheeler, he's 95 now, so he's done. And like, oh, there's Schwarber Boomer Boss. You know, it's just like. He's going to be hitting 190 in May again. So it's just like, oh, my God, can we just take a deep breath in a way? But I get it. Like, I get it.

Because last year, everyone wants to recreate what happened. And the excitement of last year makes us come in that much more juiced up for it. So it's that much more disappointing now. Well, and that's what happens when you have expectations like yes when they when they when they lost in the world series it was like man that stunk but man what a fun year what a fun year like what a fun more what a fun three weeks yes um you know and now it's just like now the expectations are you gotta get back there you gotta get back there so like any time where it doesn't look like they're gonna get back i mean i mean people are gonna press the panic button and and

for some and again like i i had listen full disclosure i had to take a walk on saturday i had i had the like they're they're getting their doors blown off and i was over at uh i was over we're taking walker to go see his, uh, his aunt and uncle and nieces for the first time. Um, you were watching the game and you know, I'm keeping it together. Uh huh. Sure. Yeah.

And, and then I think it was the Homer officer, Anthony, where like kids are screaming inside like, I'm out. Yeah. I was like, I need to, I just need to go on a walk. I just need to, I walked to the end of the driveway. Took a couple minutes. Came in. Some jack time. Yeah.

Turned the game right off. And put on the NCAA tournament game. By the way, I had FAU Moneyline. Did you really? Yeah. So I had FAU Moneyline. I had FAU 6-10 to win by 6-10. What a horrible loss that is. I had FAU 11-15 because the odds are good.

It was sitting right in front of me. What a horrible loss. And then you get that bull crap. By the way, also, I had a Schwar 11 to 15 because the odds are good. It was sitting right in front of me. What a horrible loss. And then you get that bull crap. By the way, also, I had a Schwarber home run. I did too. Yeah. Yeah, a Schwarber home run. I had a Turner home run.

I thought he hit two of them. I had Mookie Betts home run on Saturday night. So listen to this ridiculousness. He hits a home run. The guy catches it. But on the field, they ruled it a double. So they had to go look at it. They called fan interference, but he was not allowed to go home as a home run.

So it was a double. It was like I am on such a freaking cold streak. It's not even funny. I mean, that's unbelievable. It was like, are you serious? It's been a tough weekend. I can not even funny. I mean, that's unbelievable. It was like, are you serious? It's been a tough weekend. I can tell, buddy. And Walker's amazing.

And we're starting to get into a little bit of rhythm here. Love it. But you're 0-3, pal. I know. You guys step it up, kid. Yeah, you don't have it back on the baseball card yet, so I don't know the track record that we can kind of suggest with you that you're going to be able to keep it up.

But, like, holy – like, it's just – why did they have to do that? Like, why did they have to do that? Like, if they lost every game like they lost last night – Yeah, it would have been fine. Where, like, okay, like, Schwarber should have had a home run. Turner should have had two. Like, boom, rips a ball that's a home run. Oh, I know.

That catch – what was Oh, I know. That catcher. Was that? I know. And, like, this stupid, what did Jonah Heim, like, calls time while Turner's going to second base. That was a soul mace. What was that? That made no sense.

I know. That made no sense. Didn't get the role. But, like, the way Saturday happened. Turner and Harrison, the ball dropping between them. I mean, there was so much of that. There's so much of that. Um, it's just like the Phillies to me, right?

The Phillies to me, they're like a family member. You know what I mean? No, we know where it's like, it's like, just don't embarrass me in front of all my friends. You know what I mean? Like, just don't, just don't embarrass me in front of all my friends. You know what I mean? Like, just don't embarrass me in front of everyone. Yes. And they embarrassed me on Thursday. Saturday, also national TV.

Embarrassing. And Sunday, loss. I mean, just a loss. It wasn't embarrassing. No, it was just a loss. But it's just like, I hate it. Like, I just, there is no one on planet Earth that is worse at handling Philly's losses than me. We know, buddy.

I am not. Let me make this very clear. I am not doing well with the start of the season. Like, I'm not a panicky fan, but there's a panic in this voice right now. I can hear it, buddy. Like, especially because I know how tough the NL is. Especially because I know they're going to need 90-plus wins, I believe, to make the playoffs.

Wow, you think so? I think they're going to need 90-plus wins. I think the Padres are 90-plus wins. I think the Dodgers are obviously 90-plus. The two NLEs teams and the Cardinals, but then that sixth spot will probably be the Brewers, the Giants, those teams. You think any of those teams will win in 90 games?

I need 90. Okay. Just because you need it. I like that. That's good. It's because of what I expect now. Yeah. But, yeah, I think that people were just dying to get the Phillies back.

And people were just like, I want that feeling for 162. Now, that's not fair either, James. It's just not fair to expect that level of intensity for an entire season. So at least they're interested in Dallas Keuchel. Everything seems to be. What is going on here? We're talking about like, oh, we get hard throwers now. Let's go look at Dallas Keuchel.

At least they're interested in. What is happening right now? Go trade for someone, Dave. What are you doing? It's not great. It's not great, buddy. And the fact that that's even like a thought. I know. Well, that's the more concerning part. Like, Dallas Keuchel will not make the Major League roster. Dude, Dallas Keuchel.

Even if they give him a minor league deal, he will not make the Major League roster. Like, the fact that they're even talking to the guy. What are we doing here i know i know and and it's like there's first off as a as a better like there is no one easier to fade in the history of baseball oh my god the dallas keitel the last couple years all the time but do you see he's hitting 86 yeah like so the funniest part about keitel is that he went to driveline which is supposed to be like hey we're we're going to increase velocity.

And I watched his video from like, this was like two months ago before I even knew that it was like, oh, maybe the closure got him. It was like sitting 87. Like, what are we doing? Like, Dave, no. I know you're looking at the pedigree. I know we're looking at the back of the baseball card. If you sign Dallas Keuchel, fold the season. Oh, God. It's over.. If you sign Dallas Keuchel, fold the season. Oh, God.

It's over. Dallas Keuchel? Dude, I'm right there with you. I couldn't believe it. I thought it was a joke when I heard Rhea said it on the morning show, and I was like, what? And I Googled it. I was like, no. No. No. We're getting information. Oh, John Heyman.

Not great. Not what I want to hear. Now, we know Heyman's a Boers guy. That's true. Trying to get it out there, help it out there. Let's see what his market is. Let's see what Dallas Kleckle's market's going to be. Oh, buddy. Yeah, that was definitely the worst news of the weekend. Yeah, the worst possible thing. Losses or whatever, but don't be talking about

another guy named Dallas. I can handle Goddard. You start mixing in a pitcher. So things are going well. Things are great. Things are going well. We got no issues.

Everything's fine. CB Buckner should probably be fired. Dude. So again, I don't, and you know, I've wavered more than you have. You've been very staunch, but I am anti-Robot-Ums as my official stance. I would absolutely take a Robot-Um over CB Buckner today. Like all CB Buckner's games, robots do it right now. That was, like, disastrous.

And usually umps are just bad, and it doesn't, you know, they're bad for everybody. That, like, actually really hurt the Phillies. Like, he was extra bad for us. Extra bad. Yeah. He could not place what an inside fastball is supposed to look like i mean the marsh one i know that was the one that talked about most but that was like

oh it's atrocious a disastrous call it was atrocious um and obviously still very anti-robot umpire um but he was terrible and uh you know it was not great timing after our rant about yeah about uh you know the human element of the game great didn't our rant about the human element of the game. Not great. They didn't feel great about the human element of the game on Saturday when they're down 16-3. And I know the pitchers still got to make pitches and stuff, but it 100% affected the outcome of the game. Without a doubt it did.

I mean, in multiple different spots. And those were big spots. It doesn't spiral like that probably if it doesn't play out that way. Wheeler's probably not out of the game as early. There are multiple. And wheeler was pitching differently because of it you could see it and partially because the pitch clock but he wasn't trusting his stuff no no he was not so cb buckner atrocity atrocity dude i i'm getting annoyed i'm just like i was so ready for this season to start. And then we get this trash.

Then we got to watch C.B. Buckner. And I got you nervous. But it's not. I was expecting to come in and you calm everyone down. And you're like, no, I'm panicking. Not quite. But I'm nervous. Well, I guess my thing is this.

Is that, like, sure. I can do the whole the 19 Braves got swept in the first week of the year, and the 21 Braves got swept by the Phillies in the first week of the year, and they ended up winning the World Series. They sure did. But it really, I've just genuinely felt this way since I saw the first lineup, where it's like, that's not what I expected. And if the pitchers aren't ready to go,

I don't think the lineup is going to be able to carry them the way that they could have you know i think that you know had had respin there i think the lineup could be expected to have you know five run six run games on a pretty regular basis now what happens after i see what happened with wheeler and nola and and tywin walker his his last, his velocity was down in all three spots, which is worrisome. Oh, that's great. You already have the Ranger injury. You have Andrew Painter, who's not ready or is banged up a little bit.

And then you see the bullpen. I think the bullpen, of all the things that sucked this weekend, I think the bullpen is going to be fine. Yeah, I'm not going to freak out. Very small sample. And again, the Junior Marte thing blew up. I wasn't going to bring it up. No, that's all right. I wasn't going to bring it up. It's a bring it up podcast. That was when the game fell apart. You know, it was a game

until Junior Marte came in and then it was no longer a game. Yes. Yeah. But we're a bounce back team here. Yes. Yes, we are. Also, just this is me. I'm talking to myself here. Yes, good. That's all we want, really. Stop betting on the Phillies. Dude, every time they go down, I'm like, well, it's obviously a top.

Yeah, I like that. Because it used to be a little bit against the Phillies. But now it's like I got so much faith in them. Plus, there's just good odds. I know. You do get good odds live in-game betting. Dude, that's like plus seven. I know.

Internal monologue. I know. Stop betting on the, Phyllis. Do you think I'm handling this well? So James and I are sitting next to each other. Which is amazing. For this podcast. Love it.

How do I look? Am I handling this well? So, not really. Not really? No. I know I'm not. You're not. I'm not.

You're really not. Like, you're definitive'm not. You're not. I'm not. You're really not. Like, you're definitively not. No, it's because I have waited since freaking Jordan Alvarez hit the furthest ball I've seen in my entire life that I've only seen twice. Although, at MLB.TV, they keep showing it. I know. Have you noticed that every highlight is an anti-Phillies highlight? I have not noticed that. Dude, it's like-

Is that true? Really? They throw the Mets combined no-hitter on there. I do love the highlights in there because it used to just be like- Commercial break. Commercial break or whatever. And now they do the highlights, which I appreciate. Yeah, but they're all anti-Phillies.

I didn't notice that. Yeah, they're all anti-Phillies. I didn't notice that. Yeah. You'll notice that next time when you're watching. So someone at MLB is anti-Phillies. It's out to get the Phillies, correct. That's good to know.

No, but it's like I waited since the Jordan home run for them to get back. They signed Trey Turner. Like, the lineup top to bottom looks unbelievable. They make legitimate upgrades in the bullpen where it's like, oh, my God, I don't have to freak out about them anymore. I think the staff's really good. I can't wait to see Andrew Painter. I can't wait to see Ranger Suarez in another full year as a starter,

see him continue to develop into one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball. You know, we have Wheeler and Nolan at the top of the rotation. And it's just like, and I'm not trying to be a soft, like, fan with the three games into the season thing, but it's just like, I'm definitely shaking a little bit off of what I saw this weekend. And it didn't help that, like, in the third game of the year, I have Josh Harrison in left field and Christian Pache, who I think has stunk for years.

It was fun. I texted you immediately when they got him. I was like, Pache, LOL. You have long. So, for those who don't know, Pie was like a top 20 prospect in the sport. Yeah. Like top 10 maybe even at certain points with the Braves. And the entire time, Jack was like, that dude stinks.

I used to be like, oh, they got this guy. He's like, Pashie stinks. He stinks. And then they trade for him. Yeah. Because of what they do. And he does stink. Very clearly.

I mean, it was essentially like having a pitcher hit it. Yeah. Great defensive player. Horrible hitter. Also, like, oh, my God. You know, like, Stott works a great at bat. Oh, I know. And then it's like.

First pitch. I know. After a walk. I know. I know. Like, you can't hit. When you've treat Turner on deck. At least take a pitch, Christian.

You've treat Turner. Christian Pache. Yeah. In the third game of the year. I know. I mean. I mean... Well, and they told March he's going to bat again.

Lefty, I sit on the bench. And Bailey Falter was pretty good last night. He was really good, man. He was really good. But like, holy cow, you signed Tywon Walker to be your third starter.

That had to be some sort of... No, it is. He said it was matchup-based. Yeah, it was matchup-based. But like, I know. But like, it's... You need to win. It's baseball. Yeah, it was matchup-based. But, like, I know. But, like, it's baseball.

Yeah. You want to win. That's a better way to put it. They're fine. Everything's fine. At least we're facing Nestor Cortez and Garrett Coles. Yeah, no problem. You know they're going to...

I'm just going to... I'm putting this out there now. They're taking two or three from the Yankees. You know they are. Yeah. I will not live in a world where they come home on Thursday or when it rains. Yeah, they're going to win the next two. They're going to win the Taiwan start and they're going to win the

Matt Stram start and then they'll lose NOLA. That's the way to work. When everyone's back in. Yeah, exactly. No, I can't deal with a world where they're 1-5 coming back to get their race. Oh yeah, buddy. Yeah, right there with you, pal. I don't like, I don't appreciate, is probably a better way to say it,

you pointing out the kind of string of bad stuff that's happening. Because I was just focusing on the weekend. I'm like, three games, no big deal. And you're like, well, Ranger gets her. And then Reese gets her. And then Painter's her. Like, I don't love that. I don't love that.

The narrative is not on the path I was hoping it would be on When you lay it out that way Well that's because It really all just started hitting me And I tried to fight it I did my best Not so great But maybe if it didn't get swept on the opening weekend of the year

Maybe we'd be feeling different on this Monday So I feel like genuinely, I need to get that off my chest. I need this whole, however long we've been doing this. We're at 30 minutes in. Yeah, you know it's way harder talking about the Phillies when they're losing? I know.

Way less fun to do the podcast. No, but I just, I need to get it all out there so that when they take 2-3 from the Yankees, I feel better. I agree. It'll be good. Verykees, I feel better. I agree. Yeah. It'll be good. It'll be very calming.

Yeah. You'll feel great. Yes. And then you'll be back. And then I'll be back. I mean, the 08 Phillies started two and four. Oh, did they? They did.

Wow. I'm just saying. No big deal. No big deal. They won the World Series. It doesn't really matter what happens this week at all, but it just sucks. But my life is completely dependent upon it so it doesn't matter but i will be literally inconsolable if they do not win games this week is that a fair kind of

official statement i think it took us 30 minutes to get here the official statement is it's not that big of a deal but also but also that really sucks. Yeah, but also that really sucks. But also that really sucks. So I can't. I'm actually excited about the Yankees series. I'm too. I like seeing them play the Yankees. Me too. It'll be great.

And Garrett Cole's a loser. Total loser. He was great in his first start. He'll be bad in his second. Nestor Cortez is their ace. Yeah, Nestor. I love Nestor. Nestor.

Yeah, he's my guy. Yeah. Well, Tywin Walker's better. Okay. He sure is their ace. Yeah. I love Nester. Nester. Yeah, he's my guy. Yeah. Well, Tywin Walker's better. Okay. He sure is. No, no. The single most important thing, like, I'm just, if you want to. Is he passing the lineup against the lefty tonight?

Oh. Listen, bring back Girardi if that's the case. No. The most important thing about tonight, James, is not a winner or loss. Ooh, I was not expecting that. 2-1-5-5-9-2. Yeah, it's a good day as a taker. The most important thing about tonight is that Tyrone Walker's velocity is all back.

Because if he starts trending down, then you start worrying about injury. We got no picture. And then I just, like, Matt Strom. Well, they're going to. He just already started And then who are they bringing up Well that's Plasmeyer Okay

I do see this spiraling Dude I know And maybe because I was up at 3.30 Changing a diaper Yeah I know But like it's the single Most important thing tonight is that Tywin Walker's velocity is back,

so we're not dealing with the rotation in shambles while our one and two starters are, like, figuring it out. Figuring it out. No big deal. Well, they pitched deep into October and November last year. Good thing there's no track record of those guys struggling the next year. It should be fine. You know who else pitched deep to October's hurt again?

Justin Verlander. So, like... He is. So, hopefully... You know, that's a good thing. Sure. Yeah. Sure.

You know what didn't suck? What? The game did. But shout-out to Tavola. Shout-out to everyone who came out to hang out with us. Yes. We did have a blast. Shout-out to Miller Lite.

Miller Lite, awesome job giving out 20 pairs of tickets to the home opener. Hopefully they're not 1-5 for it. Hopefully they're not 1-5. Can you imagine that ballpark? 1-5. 0-6. 0-6. 0-6.

0-6. For the most anticipated home opener in a decade. 0-6. Can you imagine? I will not live in that world. I will not let that be a world that I can even imagine. I can't imagine it. It won't happen.

They're going to win some games. But we had the best time. It was awesome. Shout out to Scott and Delco, general manager of the place. Scooter! Scooter! We had a great time. A lovely cake for Walker, I'd say.

Walker. Yep. It was really awesome. We got to see a lot of our people. It was super fun. Lisa came. Michael did not come. Got to give Michael a lot of our people. It was super fun. Lisa came. Michael did not come. Got to give Michael a little rip for that.

Oh, yeah, to go on a spring break trip to Montreal. Yeah, that's a cool guy. Okay. You're still in college. Yeah. But shout out to everyone. We saw Jake and neighbor Dan and all kinds of awesome people. We had the best time.

So seriously, that was great. It was great. Especially when we're up 5-0. Oh, it was a party. It was a party. This is what we do.'re up 5-0. Oh, it was a party. It was a party. This is what we do. Then it got real quiet. Yeah, it did.

It really did. That nine-run inning was not well received. I mean, it was so perfect, right? I had a bone plus 900 for a home run. First time out and about since you had a kid. You know, you're strutting. Papa strut. Phil's team total over three.

Congrats, Jack. I'm so happy for you. You're like, thank you. This is great. And then the game happens. Then the game. Duvall was great. We're going to have plenty, plenty more high hopes.

More stuff coming down the road. Bedlam at the bars, as they're calling it. Which is a good name. It's a great name. It's a great name. Proud of everyone involved. Where'd they come up with that? Is that just a random thing?

Yeah. Just out of nowhere. Clever. Yeah. Good work by them. Alright. We'll get to looking ahead, even though we kind of already have in a minute, to Yankees and Phillies. But you got any take bag stuff today? You know if you're too down

to do the take bag? No, never. Never too down. The take bag used to be a bastion. We're talking about the Phillies, oh, this is all depressing. Let's talk about these prospects. Let's talk about the draft or whatever. Well, there is positives in the take back. Good.

One positive is that, like, dude, Trey Turner's incredible. I love him. Like, it's just. So smooth out there. Yeah, on second base, so fast. He had, like, two triples. I was like, oh, my's just. So smooth out there. He gets, yeah, on second base so fast. He had, like, two triples. I was like, oh, my God, what is life right now? So Trey Turner is.

One of them might have been aided by the sun a little bit. Yeah, well, whatever. It's okay. Is it a triple in the book? It's a triple in the books. So I can't wait to see him, you know, like, I just can't wait to see him kind of get rolling here with everyone behind him. So I thought he was great. Can't wait to see him kind of get rolling here with everyone behind him.

So I thought he was great. Castellanos. So, like, the funniest part about Castellanos is that he's doing pretty well. He hit a couple doubles. Good at bats. Two walks. Two walks. Two walks. But he's got to be, like, the least imposing.

I mean, even just the way he hits. Like, it feels like he has not hit a ball hard. Because when they signed him, I was like, oh, my God. I used to be terrified of Castellanos. Me too, dude. Every big moment, it felt like he was going to get a big hit of like, this is going to be back-breaking. And now it's just like.

Don't swing at the pitch low outside, please. Please just work a walk. Please, buddy. Just tap the ball on the right field. I'll take it. Yeah. So he looked. It was a positive Castellanos weekend.

It was. But it's still like, man, you just strike no fear. It's true. And now part of that's from last season. I think it carries over and all that. But he didn't rip a baseball. The double was good. The double was good.

I thought Brandon Marsh looked great. I did too. I just, i'm excited like him being out of the lineup last night was like really you know it was like come on i want to see if he can hit lefties like i think he he just he just he he exudes making winning plays i agree um so i i i was very positive about what i saw from him bailey falter was interesting um for the first time his career through like more curveballs than fastballs. That's really important.

His fastball is... Not that fast? No, but... It's the late release. It's the late release, and he has giddy up, and he needs to throw it up in the zone, because if he throws it down in the zone,

then it's going to rise right into the bat path, which is obviously a disaster. But, you know, if he's starting to mix in the other pitches, it just makes the fastball look better and I think that he fought that for a majority of his career

because I think he got through the minor leagues just being able to throw fastball, fastball, fastball and it seems like they're making a tweak to his his usage

for his pitches and I think that's gonna be I think it's gonna be big like he's never gonna be he's never gonna blow you away but if he can just give you a quality start on most nights,

we'll obviously take that from him. I thought it was positive last night. I thought he threw the curveball a lot. I think he's going to continue to do that because as major league hitters continue to see his fastball, they're just going to tee off on it. So I thought he was good. And yeah, I mean, there were some good,

like Gregory Soto if I bounce back, it was disgusting last night. Boom has looked pretty good. The first game was obviously like, oh, my gosh, this is insane. So, like, there's definitely some positives to take away from it. You know, there's some things where it's like, okay, you know, we can kind of enjoy what we saw in the spring, what we projected as we're going to happen.

But overall, still not fun. It was a crappy weekend. I almost cursed there. I almost said another word. I think we know what the other word you would use. Yeah, that's why I went crappy. It's what they call synonym jamming. Oh, and the last thing is that the Harper updates

are like... It's out of control. Is he going to be back next week? What is happening here? That's what I keep saying. You said official June 10th high opposition. It's going to be way before that. I think Is he going to be back next week? What is happening here? That's what I keep saying. He said official June 10th high opposition. It's going to be way before that. I think it's going to be mid-May. Yeah, we'll see. Thompson says something else.

He's going to be hitting. I think Bryce said that he's already taking full hacks. Yes. It's like, how? How are you doing that? They were like, oh, yeah, he's going to be facing live pitching. What are you talking about? Facing live pitching?

What are you talking about? He got surgery in like December, didn't he? This is unbelievable. It makes no sense to me. I'm so confused. Everything we know about Tommy John timeline. I know hitter is different than pitchers and all that, but still, this makes no sense to me. Yeah. So it turns out we might have a superhero.

They always say that, like, oh, this guy heals different. It's like, oh, maybe this guy actually does heal different. Yeah, he might. It hurts. Everyone's like, oh, he heals different. Oh, he'll be back. And he wasn't. And he wasn't back, and he didn't heal different.

Bryce Harper actually might heal different. Yeah. And to be fair, the dude went on that postseason run with a torn UCL. Yeah. Yeah. Official second high hopes position of the podcast. Need Bryce back. Yeah, dude. Could really use that on Bryce.

I mean, you feel it. You did. You're right. I think it's a combination of Reese and Bryce because I think we thought Reese would kind of carry it. But you really miss Bryce. You felt like you were missing one bat. Yeah. All weekend long, it just felt like they're missing.

I'm missing one big dude in there. When they get him back, they can tread water. It's not like you have to be 10 games over 500 when Bryce comes back. I'm perfectly fine with treading water. If you want to be 4 games over 500, 500, whatever. Just be in it when Bryce gets back.

Because when he gets back, everything just falls into place. Everything. Everything is just like this kind of is their cure. Now, obviously, we learned I'm not freaking out about them at all. They've got long track records. And to their credit,

a lot of great pitchers struggled this weekend. Like, Corbin Burns got lit up. Jacob DeGrom in the very first game. It's an opener, but still., Corbin Burns got lit up. Jacob DeGrom in the very first game. Well. It's an opener, but still. Corbin Burns did get lit up. Yeah. He did get lit up.

Well aware. Did not help my Cy Young ticket. How many Cy Young tickets do you have? No, I put out two. I'm not very good at putting out. Is it just him and Jesus? Oh, yes. Well, listen. Jesus.

You get 10,000 odds. Plus 10,000 odds. That's crazy. Yeah, it's great. So, yeah. They got to figure it out. They do have to figure it out. It needs to be 7 o'clock now. Yeah, honestly, I just need a game.

I need to win. Yeah, I need to win. Now, if they lose, I'm just going to call it a work tomorrow. Well, don't worry. There will be a, well, there should be a final out in the future. Everyone's going to get the reactions they need. Should be great. I can't wait for a Jack for its own four final out.

No, there won't be. No, there won't be. They're going to win tonight. They're going to win. I feel very, very confident. They're definitely taking two or three New Yorkers. Old school. All right.

So is that the take back? Yeah. Okay. A mediocre take back, but I'll take it. Thanks. Did you expect me to be ready with an edition of Is This Weird? Oh! America's favorite game?

One of our favorites. So you ready for this? Yeah. Okay, I want you to tell me if this is weird. Whenever I watch MLB games on the package, so for those who don't know, Jack knows because he has the package as well, when you watch package games, you have a choice. You go to a game.

Let's say it's, what was the game yesterday? Blue Jays Cardinals. I was watching some of that. And you get a choice. You can either go to the Cardinals feed or the Blue Jays feed, right? You'd be like, all right, whatever. Or you'd be like, oh, I like these announcers or whatever. Whatever it is.

I always go to the feed of the team I'm rooting for. Even if it's just fantasy related. Even if it's because I have a hitter or a pitcher or whatever, I've never seen the Mets or Braves broadcast. Ever. Because I never watch it. Because I'm always I'll watch any broadcast on the planet that's not the team that I'm rooting against.

Is that weird? So you watch the Blue Jays feed? I watch the Blue Jays feed. Exactly right. You miss Chip Carey's debut. That's my point. I don't care about how good the feed is. It's bad. You would always take the better announcers. Don't care.

I take the quote-unquote home team for me. Is that weird? It's not too weird. I just click what everyone's first, and then I put it on mute. Yeah. I don't listen to it. And I mute a lot, too, because I get on the second TV and stuff like that. Yeah.

I just have to pick the feed that I can't wait. I can't support Braves. No. I don't want to Braves feed. Well, you still have all the childlike passion, like hate for teams. I do. Yeah. I'm much more of a hate the other team guy than you are.

Yeah. Although, the Mets and Braves are the closest that I can. Closest, yes. Yeah, because I do hate them. As you should. We all should. With all of our souls. I think it makes sense.

Although I do think you're missing it. I like the Mets booth, but that's just me. They got a good booth. Can't do it. Won't do it. Sorry. Don't want to hear it. Because I guess if you turn on the home feed, then you're getting the home or broadcast.

Yeah, and even then, it's like I'm not even really, there's logic i'm coming around your logic good there is none no there's the underlying logic okay um how about another is this weird okay so we brought this up on the pod i don't know but listeners tell me this weird because jack can't answer because he's the one that does it is it weird that whenever we do a show and now you're looking me in the eyes which is so rare whenever we do a show together and so you can't look me in the eyes usually when you're talking you always got to turn this way when i start making really good points i look up when i start like locking in is that weird or no i don't know is it weird that i look up or that you don't look at me no no it's definitely it's that i don't know i don't think it's weird i don't think it's

that weird either for what it's worth elliot does the same thing but it's just like i don't know. I don't think it's weird. I don't think it's that weird either. For what it's worth, Elliot does the same thing. But it's just like, I don't want to look at you while I'm making a point. I'm right here. Look at me. Let's talk to each other. No, but I got you in my peripheral. No, I know. I just thought it was weird. Yeah.

Well, is it weird that at high-obst events, when things start getting tight, I just try to find a way to isolate myself? Oh, I know. You just lock in. Try to isolate myself? I know. It's impossible, too. No, it's hard. It's really hard. But I still power through. You know. It's impossible, too. No, it's hard.

It's really hard. But I still power through. You did. How's Walker, by the way? Everything good? Yeah, Walker's great. Dad life's good? Yeah, dad life's good.

You feeling good about diaper changing and all that? I never gave you a tip. Do you want a tip? I think I got the diaper changing thing. Oh, you feel good about it? I will say, I thought I'd hate diaper changing way more than I would. It's not that bad. It's your kid.

The thing that I actually hate is putting on their clothes. Oh, it's so annoying. Well, and it's like, am I going to break it? So, you know what's so funny? That was my advice. And I got it from when Zoe was in the NICU. She was in the NICU for 10 days when she was born. And it was from a NICU nurse.

And I was going to change Zoe's diaper. She's like, all right, you know, I'm going to help you do this. And I was so, like, scared. I was so like, oh, like, you're so little or whatever. And she literally said to me, she's like, you're break her and she grabbed her lift her legs up was like boom boom boom and like sure and she's like you're not going to break her like humans are strong even little babies are built fine and it was really helpful like it really helped me like and I much more assertive right with diaper changing and all that so you're not gonna break him I know but that's

the advice uh yeah it's just yeah like yeah I'm i'm everything's been good though like i don't have any aversions to anything like the diaper changing i think it's funny it's like oh you know good one buddy nice job look at that wow pal look at you i will say that you're probably not there yet i will tell you what it what until they can do it for themselves which is around like three maybe i don't remember maybe it's two and a half three whatever, whatever, but blowing their nose is the most annoying thing you'll have to deal with because they can't blow. So they can't like do the blow motion.

So like you have to get this thing, it's called a nose Frida, where you suck the mucus and you stick it up there and you go, and you suck it right out. Like you're going to have to get one of those for a while because they can't blow their nose. And it's so annoying. It's like, just blow your freaking nose. It's pouring out of you're going to have to get one of those for a while because they can't blow their nose. It's so annoying. Just blow your freaking nose.

It's pouring out of you. Looking forward to it. We're taking everything in stride, but he needs to get a win tonight. If we're going to be honest, let's just lay the cards on the table. There's one thing that is different about this season with this pod.

One thing. A lot of pressure. pod, this whole thing. One thing. I know. A lot of pressure. Well, there is a lot of pressure. I can already tell in circles of Phillies fans right now, like, oh, Walker's causing us a season. Way to go. He's got to get a win. He's got to get a win. Overcome adversity. I believe in him.

I'll give you that. I believe in him, too. We are winners of that hustle that's right we're not losers alright you got any final thoughts no I just

just freaking I kind of used mine there just win just win just win just freaking win just call I need

a nice relieved feeling yeah who'd have thought we'd be like ecstatic with two and four for the home opener

at this point oh that's awesome give me two and four just let go awesome great alright everything's fine we'll be back later in the week we four for the home opener. Oh, that's awesome. Give me two and four. Just like going. Awesome. Great. All right. We'll be back later in the week.

We'll figure it out. I got a wedding this weekend, but we'll make it when they take two or three. Boom. Yeah. Before the homeowner, before the homeowner, there it is.

All right. Cause we will be there on Thursday. If there is, no, we'll be there. If it doesn't, if it's not right now, we will be at the game Thursday and we'll figure out a pod.

All right. This is great. Walker. Figure it out. It's on you between that. All right. This is great. Walker. Figure it out. It's on you, buddy. Until then, peace for themselves. you