High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Meet the Moment: Previewing Phillies-Mets

Episode Date: August 25, 2025

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz recap the Phillies taking two of three from the Washington Nationals over the weekend and discuss an important series in Queens against the Mets starting tonight. Plus, an apology from Jack to Phils reliever Tanner Banks. Presented by Miller Lite To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to ⁠RingTheBellBook.com 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

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. Ontario, the wait is over. The gold standard of online casinos has arrived. Golden Nugget Online Casino is live. Bringing Vegas-style excitement and a world-class gaming experience right to your fingertips. Whether you're a season player or.

just starting. Signing up is fast and simple. And in just a few clicks, you can have access to our exclusive library of the best slots and top tier table games. Make the most of your downtime with unbeatable promotions and jackpots that can turn any mundane moment into a golden opportunity at Golden Nugget Online Casino. Take a spin on the slots, challenge yourself at the tables, or join a live dealer game to feel the thrill of real-time action, all from the comfort of your own devices. Why settle for less when you can go for the gold? at Golden Nugget Online Casino. Gambling problem call Connects Ontario,

1866531-260, 19 and over, physically present in Ontario. Eligibility restrictions apply. See Golden Nuggettcasino.com for details. Please play responsibly. This episode is brought to you by Defender. With a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms and a weighting depth of 900 millimeters,

the Defender 110 pushes what's possible. Learn more at Land Rover. bank more oncores when you switch to a scotia bank banking package learn more at scotia bank dot com slash banking packages conditions apply scotia bank you're richer than you think I feel a little less along. Yo, it is another edition of the I host podcast, sponsored by Miller Light, official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Tastes like Miller Time, Philadelphia. Celebrate responsibly Fritzy. One of those things where, you know, we knew Zach Wheeler wasn't likely to pitch in the playoffs. he wasn't likely to come back but you know we just didn't know for sure and it's done how you doing now so i got to be honest i was so confused by your yo because they did take two a three that's so i tried to start with the two or three and then i got into a little zach wheeler and then you know i'm gonna be completely honest with you i forgot about the zach wheeler thing because i guess i guess i kind of i guess i kind of already convinced myself that he wasn't going to pitch it

again this year. And I, like, we were, we were out and about on Saturday, which I'm sure we will obviously, yep, so we will get into that. I totally forgot. I totally forgot. So I thought it was more about, I thought your yo was more about like

how it was a strictly survive in advance kind of weekend against the nationals, which it really was. I mean, they are turning into the, they're the New Marlins. I mean, they are unbelievably annoying. They're frisky. I actually kind of like them a little bit. Like if I was a nationals fan. I would be, there's an, there's an intrigue to watch a horrible baseball team every single

night. Oh yeah, we've done it, buddy. We've been there. We know. Yeah, well, they're going through it with like a top 10, top 10 draft picks. We went through it with absolute scrubs and Reese Hoskins and Aaron Nola. That is, that is the difference between watching the nationals and watching the Phillies. So a strict survive and advanced type weekend, but yes, the, uh, the Wheeler thing, I was, the thing that actually relieved me more than anything was in the statement about how I'm looking forward to coming back and helping the team win a championship because there was a definitely a part like a voice in the back of my head saying was that it like are we are we ever going to see Zach Wheeler throw again for for the Phillies so at least from that standpoint that was

positive and and hopefully everything goes well and it continues to to progress in a positive way yeah yeah and I'm with you too like when when the news came out it was one of those it was just like a confirmation you know we we knew it but still that like loss of the hope of the, you know, like the Hoskins thing we talked about, with just the hope that like maybe he could come out and come out of the bullpen in a world series game and then Simpson's Bank Park would melt to the ground, you know, just to lose that. But I'm with you.

Like when I saw the news, it wasn't, I don't think anyone was shocked by it. And in some ways, it was nice to just have a timeline attached to it. And, you know, he should be ready for next year if you want to your point, the fact that it seems like he wants to pitch, we'll see after he goes through all this. But look, as far as. as this specific thing goes, it seems like the surgery was, you know, a positive, you know, the venous surgery as opposed to the neurogenic surgery. It's a good thing, you know, and all that stuff. So it's like, why don't you break that one down for me? Can you break that one down from

me? I was on the National Institute of Health this morning. The camera was like, tell me all about this, like, you know, break it down, look up old. I could talk about Scott Oberg and all these cases and stuff. But basically the real, that's the thing, though. The real takeaway from doing all this is like there's no comp. Like, No 35-year-old pitcher who is as good as Zach Wheeler has ever had a blood clot in their pitching arm. Like, it's never happened. So, you know, like, it's just there's no comp for it. There's no way to really know.

And look, I, I, I, it's a bummer. But I do, I have to your point, I do think he's going to come back. I do think reading that statement. I just don't think he's going to go out like this, assuming everything goes smooth on the road. Of course. Yeah, yeah. So I think that was kind of where I was. And I really just have totally bought into this team rallying and using it as motivation.

And now that they know for certain that he's not coming back, I think that it, there's always going to be that thing that they can go back to if they lose a couple games or they have a little bit of downturn where they can, they can look to their brother. And the Nola quote was, the Nola Quotes are kind of heartbreaking. It's heartbreaking, dude. Yeah. Got a little lost puppy wandering around the ballpark trying to find someone to watch a game with. that's probably how you feel when I'm not sitting right there in the studio next year. It's exactly how I feel. Yes. That's great.

And so I just, I guess I've just convinced myself that they're going to be all right without them. That could 100% change when the postseason rolls around. And I'm not, I'm not used to having seven innings of pretty dominant postseason baseball for my right-handed 35-year-old days. But as for, as for right now, I just, I just have a good feeling about, about where they're at and it being a rally and cry. And it being this team's thing, they can help put them over the top. And I still haven't stopped thinking about him coming out for our first pitch. Oh, well, that's going to happen. And that's going to be epic.

He might have throw it left-handed. I don't know. It's fine. I don't know how it's all going to work. I don't know where his arm's going to be at. But the CPP pop, when wheels comes out to throw, to be out there for a first pitch, you're kidding me. Take the Phil's run line.

Would it matter? Doesn't matter. They're going to win. So, but a total bummer. And yes, we were, we were together when, when the Wheeler News came down on Saturday at Tucker's wedding. Yeah, and we'll get Tucker's wedding a sec, but I'm right there with you. And I do think that, look, I agree with you. I think that the way they've talked, obviously the way they played in that first series,

the Mariners series, we will remember for a long time, you know, the great regular season series. But I do think that, you know, what we've heard from them, the way they've talked, the way Nola talked, the way all these guys have talked, you, Trey, about, like, each of them kind of having to step up a little and take on a greater load and do a little more.

And just, you know, I think it really, I do think it is a galvanizing force for this team. Like, whether they win the World Series or not, we'll find out. But I do think this thing, like, and I, again, very, make it very clear. It doesn't make losing Zach Wheeler okay. Still to Jackson's initial point,

like not having wheeled for the playoffs. It's more of a negative than a positive. It just is. But I do think, that the way they're talking about, the way they're looking at, the way they've played so far, I really do believe that they are using it the right way.

And then it can be this type of force for them. You know, they just have to, they just have to come through. But I do, I love what I, I love everything that I've heard and seen from them in reaction. Yeah.

And I think offensively you're seeing some, some guy step up. But the thing that I've been most, I guess, proud of and happy with is, you know, the job that that Ranger's done. And Ranger,

he said driving to the, driving to the ballpark. after the, during the first game in the Mariners series, he was thinking himself like, it's on me now, you know, it's on me now to step up. And boy, he stepped up, he has looked unbelievable. Yesterday was that's, that's Ranger. I mean, that's the Ranger, first half Ranger.

And, I mean, to pretty much just flip a switch and be like, I'm going to carry the team now. Actually, feels like the most Rangers or is kind of thing to possibly happen. It's like, hey, you know what? I'm just going to be good now. Everything's fine. So, you know, the Zip was back on the fastball. He's like 92, and he was down in the zone.

So I know it's the Nationals. I know they're not like the most unbelievable offensive threat. But I think from his perspective, I thought, I thought Knowles was pretty good on Saturday. It was, it was a, it was a vintage Aaron Nola start from the standpoint of he allowed a couple home runs that made you feel awful. But was just good enough. He didn't, he didn't go out there and get sheled. He was just good enough. So the way the starting staff, I think, is also rallying around it

and what you're getting at of Ranger and what you're getting out of Lazzardo or what you got out of them after his first start, post-wheeler. Those are the ones, too, that you need to see signs of life because we all know Sanchez's starting game one. And boy, is it a marquee, Cy Young potential start tonight up in New York? We know that Sanchez started in game one as long as pitching alignment. But, I mean, who's your game two starter right now? It's probably Ranger.

It's probably Ranger. And then three Lizardo and four nulls. Do they shoehorn in? Yeah. Do they shoehorn in Nola into that third starter just because? Or what? They might to mix up the lefties. I mean, I can already hear Thompson.

How about that three lefties at the top? I mean, they could do a series with just pitching lefty starters. It's rare, man. I don't remember many teams going to the playoffs. house with three lefties at the top of the rotation. It's just unique. Well, especially because the, what, was it, 2016 to 2018? They had no lefty starters.

Remember? We couldn't buy a lefty start, literally. They didn't have a lefty started game, I think, until, like, Cole Irvin came up. Yeah, that's such a, I forgot all about that. Yeah. They put Adam, they put Morgan in the bullpen. So he was the only lefty they had. And now all we have is great left in his fishing.

So I do wonder if the, and I do wonder if the, and I, don't think it does because he's going to be back for next year i just wonder if if the wheeler situation does change the calculus on a on a ranger on a ranger i thought about it too i don't think it does i don't think it does but i guess it could yeah and look it's all going to depend on as always you know what rangers offers are on the market i think that if ranger is who we want him to be for the rest of the season the playoffs it's going to make it more money it is to finish out strong after the lull he had to be able to bring it back. I do think it will help him come contract time.

So I'm with you. I think the Ranger thing is unlikely, but with the Wheeler thing, you have to consider it. You know, you don't know exactly if Wheeler's going to be ready to start next season where he's going to be at, plus Lazzardo.

I mean, they have to touch baseballs Lizardo, see where he's at from a long-term contract perspective. If you think Lizarto is not going to resign here or be more difficult to resign here, because he'll be younger going on the market with better stuff than Ranger going on in the market. Like, then maybe you say,

all right, let's sign Ranger now. just assume Lizarro's leaving. So, like, there are machinations of it that, you know, we don't know how it's all going to play out. But I'm with you. Look, Ranger, Rangers, one of those guys who has the whole world in front of him right now. I mean, he's, he is, you know, 32 games and a playoff run away from, from being a free agent in a class with not a ton of great starters in it. And Boris is his agent. Like, if he can, you know, do what he did yesterday, the last two starts, some amalgamation of that for the rest of the year through the playoffs, like it literally could make him $20, $30 million.

like seriously you know he's he's it is a big spot for him and to your point for the fillies like who do you trust most after sanchi it's not even close right like if we're talking about you would to start a playoff game with your life on the line like it's ranger by miles over the other two guys you know so it's really big yeah and and by the way if i'm lazardo yeah i'm probably resigning here given how i want to be in a smart pitching development organization so if he should he should whisen up. But on, on Rangers, on, on Rangers case, he went from like over $100 million probably,

you know, when he first came back and he was dominating, to maybe losing about 50, to being maybe right in that sweet spot. 75 million? This is Ranger good 75 million? After all of this, after all of this, they're going to end up resigning Schwerver, JT.

JT and Ranger. I know. I know. All three. I think JT's a lot. lock like i would be i would be absolutely shocked if jt is not back next year i mean he's been awesome obviously and deserves the credit for that but like there's no plan there there's no other option and i just don't like i think j t'll get offers i just don't see jt getting some huge offer out there at the age of 34 where he's not going to end up just coming back here i i think of those three i think the biggest lock to be back is jay i agree i agree i mean chauber there is the real

possibility someone just gives him whatever and i think the fillies and like j t's 35 is his whole life's here he's got four kids i don't i don't think he's shocked i don't think he'd be thrilled to pick up and and leave right now unless he again unless someone offers them like 360 of course of course there's always caveats with this you know there's always but but yeah i think i think j t means more to the fillies than he does to uh anyone else out there so it's it's it's it's I hope they sell a lot. I hope they have a nice deep. Thank you all three for not doing us any favors here.

And just unreal contract seasons for all of them. So thanks. So really, for Middleton's sake, let's go on a deep playoff run, make as much as we can, win a World Series. And then we could pay for everyone. And then maybe they get off Cassie and Taiwan because Taiwan's pitching well enough to maybe someone who want to eat 18 million for a season. I like that. Yeah, come on, man. Let's get crazy. Let's get wild.

What do you think of the castie stuff? Like, obviously there was, like the, yeah, you know, the, that picture was going around social media. And like, look, it's hard to tell with like still images when people are, you know, it was right after the Sosa Homer and he's like dead pan looking like the, you know, someone just died or something. He's like, oh, I didn't see that. Oh, you didn't see it. It was going around social media. Like, and who knows? Like, again, he's, you know, maybe erupted right after, whatever.

but like the whole castie thing we've talked a little bit about it but i mean toper really is playing kepler out there and you know giving casty days off and this is not i mean like it's it's becoming more of a thing than it was um i guess not a ton with kepler out there but the point is like you know it doesn't seem like casty is super psyched with everything going on yeah but i think i think i think the run of the platoon outfield is over i think i think i think gassy i think gassie's back i think he got a couple hits and they're like there he is he's fine we we we sent the message he got it he got annoyed and now he's and now he's going to play every single day like do you really think that he's not going to be the lineup tonight against sang good no i think he's

going to be in the line for the play i'm with you like i i don't disagree i'm just you know because again it's still there it he's still their best chance i know it's like yeah his ceiling is the highest by far of those guys unfortunately unfortunately and look he really the two guys who hit in the playoffs last year you know it is what it is and again he is someone who's done something Reggie Jackson and him are the only two people to do in the playoffs somehow. Yeah, and the one situation I'm kind of monitoring in the outfield is, where's two? One, is Bader in the process of just taking the job and running with it? You know, he had three hits on Saturday, was one for two yesterday.

I think he's hitting 283 in his last 15. Works a walk, too. You know, who works? Ah, listen. He has a pretty high quality at bat. I agree. Well, especially, you know, like, look, we know what everyone's going to complain about, and we know what everyone's expecting in the playoffs.

Like, Bader doesn't seem like someone who's going to, you know, annoy people with chasing everything and all that at least, you know? Yeah, I agree. I'm trying to be a pro here. Yeah, you're doing great, buddy. It's all good. Muting his. So Jack is muting his mic and then not muting it.

He's, you look very chill right now with the shades on, out on the deck. You know, it's a good look for you. I got to keep on. I know. Well, no, you're fine. You're fine. Is it a bus or something?

it's a it's a trash truck it's and they are they are just planting right in front of our oh that's perfect that's exactly this is high quality oh this is great yeah yeah hold on oh i'll give me the thumbs up but i'm good okay you do that i'll just you know just phil had to hanging out in the studio of justin morgan's on because just keep talking about bater yeah so i really do like bater he man is who he looks like that that's uh i come to the conclusion on that look i think he's so smooth out there in the outfield, too. And I think, like, look, we've gone through the Rojas thing the last couple of years. Bader is just as good a defensive player, more stable as a defensive player, maybe not

the high end that Roas has. But ultimately, like, he is such a more confident hitter. He is such a more accomplished hitter at the play. I'm with you. Like, I, if I were Rob Thompson, and I know there's, again, politics involved and playing time and all that. But if it were me, I would Harrison Bader, me, my starting center fielder, every game. that's it we're not platooning there he's our center fielder let's roll the question is you know

is is top we're going to get to that point because it does feel like he's got these personalities to manage and we get back to the cassie thing and all that it seems like uh you know we're going to see how that plays out this is uh it's pretty hilarious watching jack there you are hey everybody well it's just like i and uh i feel bad because i am right here i can hear everything you're saying and it just they're just camps there's not moving anyway so uh all right There we go. Goodbye. My goodness.

Well, because I thought I was good. Because right before we were recording, one of the trash trucks came through. And I was like, perfect. They're not going to come in the next hour. Just kidding. But with Bader, but with Bader, 285, I think it was last 15. The thing that I find so funny is just the cockiness in which that he,

it actually, it makes me nervous every time he does it. Because I'm not used to it. The guy, I, I just want my outfielders at this point to catch the baseball, you know, especially, like, literally, like, two hands. Like, I'm, like, super scarred, okay? And then this guy just comes here and he's like, I'm going to backpedal into, into going and catching the baseball, whatever. I'm going to, I'm going to do a karaoke before I go over and catch it. So, I appreciate that. It's a little bit of edge that I think they do need a little bit of confidence.

Like, I think they need that kind of stuff. So I hope that he kind of takes a job and wrong with it. And then the other thing that I'm monitoring is that Marsh has definitely slowed down. Now, he was unbelievable for a good stretch there. But I think he's hitting like 250 in August. And it was not terrible. But recently it just seems like it's been a little bit more pronounced. But Kepler's been swinging a hot bag.

I don't know how you just plop them on the bench over and over again. So we'll see it happens tonight against Sanga. You know, I mean, is Cassie in there? Do they go to Martian in center and then and then Kepler in left field? Since it's a bigger outfield, do they just go all defense with with Sanchez on the mound? Now, Sanchez is a, you know, more of a ground ball guy. So it's, you don't need it as much. But yeah, I, my general feeling is that Cassie onus is just going to be out there pretty much every single day. And, and Tom's just going to be like he's back. Yeah. If I had to bet, I would bet on that happening, but I, I want to see more of Topper being willing to poke the bear a little bit with that. Yes, yes. What's your rank, rank your level of confidence for me in essentially, you know, we won't include JT.

We'll say the top four of the line up as it's been right now, because JT's been so good. After that, Castie, Bome, Stott, who before wouldn't have even been on the list. Now you might trust more than Marsh at this point. They're flip-flopping. But Marsh, Bader, like all those guys. who like confidence level purely as a hitter forgetting anything defensively how would you rank those guys right now today

like as we hurdle towards the playoffs well on August 25th I would say Stott 1 which is crazy right because I would too I would trust him the most right if I had to one of those guys having a bet for my life I would pick stop right now and that's crazy

because three weeks ago I would have been like I don't even know if he's a major league hitter I know I know go go to Allentown it's time to go to Allentown on Bryson and now he's and now he's playing good ball and I'm happy for Stodder and I think just settle it'll let him settle into that nine spot

and cook down there at the bottom we talked about as like a second lead off kind of thing that gets on base for Turner and Torber like love it. Yeah but I overall feel pretty okay about all of them in a way I think Bader's going to have I just think Bader's going to have a moment in the postseason I don't know

when it's going to happen the Bader home run is going to is going to melt the stadium oh it's going to be great it's going to great. Kepler, again, I'm not getting ahead of myself, but I think he's not a disaster right now at the plate. And Marsh is going through a little bit of downturn. He's been a streaky player's entire time here

where he hits 350 for two months and then he'll hit 150 for two months. So I wish it wasn't happening with 32 games left to go, and I wish that he was peaking at a different time. But I guess the not bad part about

it in a way is that they do have some options in the outfield. They don't, like, I know Sosa can play second base, and it would be okay, but at least in the outfield, they can kind of just go with the hot hands. It's not like if you take one of them out, all of a sudden it's just Weston Wilson or, like, some of the last couple of years where the options on the bench were just not good enough. They have. Three of them can field now, too. With Marsh, Kepler, and Bader, you have three guys who can field, which they haven't had for a while, you know? so that helps makes the mixing and matching easier, you know?

And people keep, again, I want to see Crawford as much as the next guy. Where's he playing? Where's he playing? He's not playing. So I don't know what you, I don't know what you want them to do about Crawford. Also, it's kind of funny is that like Rojas is going down there and doing exactly what Justin Crawford's done. Open stance, buddy, new thing. You in?

No. But it's like. but it's like he's doing he has the exact same numbers that Crawford has yeah like you know so AAA success again we do this every year doesn't always equate to immediate major league success auto camp had an 1100 OPS in AAA 1100 by the way it's gone back down still raking like he's he can he can hit four years older than Justin Crawford too like developing stuff he's like you know that's my point though that stuff matters Yeah. So, I don't know. I just let the, let Crawford stay down. If there's an injury, they'll bring him up, I'm sure. But, like, still complaining that Justin Crawford isn't here, I find it be such a fruitless, like, why? Why? There's, there's nowhere for him to play right now. So the, the platoon outfield fills, kind of cooking. Stott, kind of cooking.

Cooking. Playing good baseball. Playing good baseball. Big series, big series up in New York. All right, we're going to, we'll talk about that series a minute. I want to get to Tucker's wedding, most importantly. But one last thing before Tucker's wedding and then the take bag. I want to give you the forum. There's a, like a forum that we have here, you know, a soapbox, whatever it is, you want to say it is. I want to give you the opportunity because I feel like today after, you know, watching what he did again yesterday. And unbelievable, I mean, bases loaded, no outs, double play out of the end.

No problem. Would you like to apologize? to Tanner Banks on this show for your just unacceptable words about him the vast majority of his Philly's career I might trust him more than Matt Strom right now how's that? Tanner Banks the floor is yours

as a B-Mall Eclipse Visa Infinite Cardholder you don't just earn points you earn five times the points on the must-havs like groceries and gas and little extras like takeout and ride share so you build your points faster and then you can redeem your points on things like travel and more And we could all use a vacation.

Apply now and get up to 60,000 points. So many points. For more info, visit bemo.com slash eclipse. Visit us today. Terms and conditions apply. Oh, hi, buddy. Who's the best? You are.

I wish I could spend all day with you instead. Uh, Dave, you're off mute. Hey, happens to the best of us. Enjoy some goldfish cheddar crackers. Goldfish have short memories. Be like goldfish. The white chocolate macadamia cream cold brew from Starbucks is made just the way you like it. Handcrafted cold foam topped with toasted cookie crumble.

It's a sweet summer twist on iced coffee. Your cold brew is ready at Starbucks. What's up guys? I'm Jordan Robinson, host of the podcast The Women's Hoop Show. We're heading towards the home stretch of the WMBA season, and there is so much to get into every episode. Twice a week, I'm joined by one of my amazing co-hosts as we dissect the biggest games, performances, and even some off-court drama. The playoffs are quickly approaching, and now is the best time to tune in. Who will come away is this year's champion?

The competition is heating up, and so are we. Listen to and follow the women's hoop show available now, wherever you get your podcasts. Stud, man. I am... What a stud? I think I love Tanner Banks. I really do. I really do. I'm a little joking, but I might feel more confident when he comes into a game than strong right now.

I might. Oh, 100%. 100%. And I do, I like his personality. I like how he was so excited to stand in front of the real, I guess, interview place rather than in front of his locker. I thought that was a funny thing. And the thing that I appreciate the most about Tanner Banks is that he just has stones. He knows that he knows he doesn't have 90s.

94, 95, but he's got 92, and you got to hit it. And he's in the strike zone. He's competitive with his pitches. And, I mean, against lefties, that slider's a tough look. Sliders's a tough look against lefties. So, of course, always, the disclaimer, glad to be wrong. I want every Philly to be great. There is no, like, agenda here where I would just want to be right.

And, I mean, I do that with the football team, but with the baseball team. I genuinely will want every every player to be great and prove opinions wrong. And Tanner Banks has done that and more. What a spot yesterday. Alvarado, by the way, just stuff not popping early.

By the way, credit to Topper there. Credit to Topper. You know, like three walk, or two, two walks and then, but he just went like that. Like, he could have given him another batter, giving him a chance. He didn't. And I thought that was awesome to see. Yeah, come on, man. It's August. It's late August, September.

Time to, it's time to, time to, we don't need to, we don't need to do that right now. Banks is going to be in the postseason anyway. I was surprised to see Topper come out of the dugout. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I was yearning for it. And he actually, yeah, yeah. Well, and it is important from the standpoint of we're doing research and development at this time because we have to figure out what's going to work in the postseason. Well, Banks could be in a situation where he has to come in and do that.

So, uh, it was good. It was good. And I, like, Strom, again on Saturday, just, he just had, he's, he's, he's, he's, had spurts of looking the part but for a majority of the season you are it's been walking a tightrope with him and i just would like a little iL stint with shoulder something to to rest him and see if that they can salvage the end of the year and into the postseason and make sure he is as good as possible the problem is is that alvarado isn't exactly looked apart either so it's not like he can just throw him out there and everything's going to be fine but

But at least from the lefty, yeah, Banks is pitching his way into more and more high leverage situations. It's good. No, it's really good. Yeah, and they need it. You know, we talked about the Avarado thing losing that, just the talent of that pitcher, obviously hurt them. But from a lefty perspective, I mean, they didn't, they don't have lefties in the pet. They really needed someone else. And we talked about it being Ranger or Lizard or something.

Now that can't happen because the Wheeler injury. It really did, like, it, Tanner Banks emerging for them as a viable, lefty in the playoffs is a really big deal like a big deal for this team so it's nice to see um all right uh so here's what i will say uh if you thought that tucker wasn't the kind of person like i did i would have bet my life that tucker was not the kind of person to go topless at his wedding i was wrong topless tucker baby Tucker got Tucker was dancing on the dance for rips his shirt first of all you could tell he wanted to because he's like unbuttoning all the buttons he was like every button on her shirt was undone versus them then he just goes topless Tucker was

rapping on the mic with the band what a party man what a party we had so much fun in tiger's wedding yeah so for those of you don't know Tucker's our producer and if you're just tuning in Tucker if you're just sitting in Tucker time to time shout at Tucker there's a great yeah so he got married I must have I must have been gone at that point I was so great I left I left when Tucker was about three buttons down okay he was about three buttons down so it was I mean he was also absurdly locked in on philly's baseball which I appreciate yeah yeah I know so we like that and and it was a good time I mean it was a it was a great time at the wedding it was good I streamed the entire game it

was fine I know you're Jack's over here looking at his phone I'm out dancing it was great you danced at one point I was pretty impressed with you that was good to see well I think it was I think it was I was Lido when Lido came on I'm not not not not dancing to Lido yeah yeah so it was Good. Got a lot of dancing. It was great wedding. Great wedding band. One of the better wedding bands I've ever heard in my many weddings because I'm old Jack. Dude, I so appreciate a good wedding band. Oh, me too. It matters. Everyone goes, everyone goes DJ. A good band is a total game changer.

I totally agree. I think it's one of the most important things. Alcohol and good music and you're pretty much set for your wedding and then food, but that's less important in my opinion. well and the amount of food was just out of control as well insane like by the time the horser and i'm like i can't even eat the main course because i'm so full from all the yeah it was all and the food was great i was concerned the cocktail hour food was the dinner oh i know you thought it was there was so much of it yeah yeah so i mean listen uh i didn't know that the producers this podcast made so much money but good good good good for him because it was a it was a it was a it was a it was a it was was a extravagant way it was big so yeah so yeah uh like sparkler like uh like

pyrotechnics on the dance floor people are dancing all of a sudden these like like sparklers are going off it's like it's pretty good i know yeah like i'm doing that inside it was nuts dude doing that inside too i would be so concerned that it was gonna burn it down i was like this seems a little aggressive here i don't know if this is the smartest man but also for for anyone else out there that like is like is need someone at their wedding that will laugh

at jokes. Oh yeah that's. Hire James Seltzer. I think I think you you could you could start a courtesy laugh. I could. You're right. You're right. If you wanted. You know, that guy was up there doing his best for the ceremony. He tried to pop a joke in there. You've got to give him a little laugh man. Make him feel like

all of a job. All of a sudden. All of a sudden the second to last row in the back of here. Ha! it's all you heard second to last row that's exactly what happened it was silence except me going ha that was it yeah that was great yeah got him got him uh and what he thinks back on that speech he's going to remember that i had his back so you know yep yep and the um i will say both speeches were good yeah both speeches were good i agree it was overall a a a a very very good wedding a very good wedding it was really well put together

they had like dancing in between courses like it was never felt you were sitting at the table forever they McDonald's after like it was Tucker put on a really great wedding shout out to Tucker they McDonald's after too well yeah oh yeah you let they have McDonald's after after unbelievable you get cheeseburgers and nuggets after the wedding it was unbelievable there's Tucker there's okay it was really good like they did a great job shout to Tucker and Mary all right let's get to the take bag or the Tucker bag is it where today well the the big one is uh I need this series in New York And, like, the fillers are playing good baseball. They're doing good things, burn the boats, win it for Wheeler.

There's a lot of positive momentum. It feels like 75 to 80% of the city is in. But there's still that, that 20% that is living and breathing and talking about last year's Mets series. And this is what they're kind of doing the postseason and blah, blah, blah, blah. like this is the series that that shuts that up and and gets the positive like wind to the back of their sales let's freaking go like that is what this series is because there is I know there seven games up I know that mathematically it's going to take a lot for the Mets to come back and win the division but for even for for me you are listeners

very positive Phillies fans there is a stench of last year's postseason and that ballpark and city field and I think the Mets tonight are going to be juiced up that the Phillies are coming into town and what I want the Phillies to do is I want them to meet the moment meet the moment don't just treat this as August 25th three game series up in New York go up there and take it go take it from this Mets team don't treat it as we really only need one of three and we're still in good position with the division no i i have no interest in that even two or three you take you die with a sweep but like go take two or three go in the series cut them off at the knees don't let them to get the momentum started and and send a message that even with that wheeler

we're still as good as you think that we are that is what this series is meet the freaking moment yeah i think you said it really well like you're you know look, even if the Mets swept the Phillies, they would still be four games up in the division, which you don't want to see or whatever, but the point being that, like, this series, we thought it would mean a lot more when August started

than after, you know, the Phillies gaining six games or whatever they did in August. It's just the division race juice, but it's still there because, like, the Mets could get back in it. The Phillies could end it, like, bury them with a sweep. They'll be 10 games up with 29 to play if they sweep them the bills. So, like, there are still stakes from that perspective, but the stakes are just not nearly as big from a division perspective.

you're so right dude the stakes are the the for this team like they're they're more not tangible in the way it's that we need to see this group go up to that place by the way you mentioned like city field Dave Uram put this out shout to you ram uh Phillies have lost 20 of their last 26 games in city field think about that they're 20 the Mets are 20 and six against the Phillies at city fields in 2022 and that's in 2020 22 that's in 2020 that's philly teams that have made the playoffs that's good Phillies teams like that is embarrassing 20 20 26 like that That alone, much less the playoff series there last year, this team being the team you fought in the playoffs,

the whole thing, like, to your point, this is a series where you want to see these guys go in and say, like, F off, Matt, it's like enough of this. Like, we're dumb with this. And they can do that, you know? I need one guy. I need, I need a Bryce series. I need a, I need a, give me villain Bryce.

Give me villain Bryce where everyone's booing you, overrated chance, and you go up there, and you hit three home runs in this series. I mean, come on, come on. That's what we need. Make chase proud, Bryce. Make chase proud. That's, dude.

Ah, man. So it's a big one. I knew it was bad. I forgot it was that bad. 20 and 6. You really put that out this morning. I was like, oh my, I was almost speechless because I knew it was bad. But like, I would have never guessed it was like that dramatic.

That's even with the, that's even with the veerling throw in there where he threw the guy out of the, at the plate veerling throw that was well I remember because I watched that in the Eagles press box

yeah people were never thrilled when I watched the fills in the Eagles press box oh yeah

no matter what it would find its way to Twitter and people yeah you don't

appreciate them for shame yes that's what I do relentlessly me the Jack Fritz story ring the bellbook dot com

check it out the Jack Frater yeah the book of the summer many are saying the book of the summer many are yes eight in August

378 683 slug 1100 plus OPS now again season doesn't always start in August so we'd like to But he's one of the youngest

youngest players at double a Like you know Just getting his footing under him And let's roll Do you think that David Robertson Is just going to do this every year now Where he's going to stay out For the first half the year

Come back and be pretty good I mean fresh arm Like the only he's been He was awesome that inning on Was it Saturday when he struck out the side was I think dude he man like he has been so fun to have here it is great dude he pitched against the Phillies in the 2009 world series think about how far like how long ago that feels the 2009 world series feels like forever ago he pitched against us he just keeps doing it 40 my man uh he has

been he has been I like the move I thought it was a smart move on he has been much better than I expect Well, he went from, okay, he's going to pitch when they're losing to We might hit him at a high leverage. Maybe like passing Kirkering is your eighth inning guy. Like, you know, Robert? No, let's not get ahead of ourselves. I know, but he's right there. Like, look, he's probably the next guy, right?

Like, in terms of trust rankings, it's obviously Duran won probably Kirkring too, but it's like Robertson three? Maybe banks. I don't know. Shaved head, Romano. I'm excited to see what he looks like without a long air. it was the only option he had like this is it you know if if the seriani thing can't work for him it's over but if nothing else because look none of us are going to forget how horrible he's been

but if he pitches well for like two weeks with the hair people might believe it you know just because they'd be like oh okay it works i believe in him again you know it is the only movie at so yeah yep yep so we'll see how that goes we'll see how that goes speaking of duran it was jarring watching Friday night thought it would never happen you want to like comment on that because so I didn't even know about this I was one I know why is my Twitter feed blame jack I didn't know that you had done anything or ever then I texted the thread and finally Elliott told me that you yeah made a proclamation and it didn't go off like all I did was ask a question all I did was ask question do you think he's going to blow a save this year and of course on the on the on the

night of yeah well it happens it happens people were thinking about it so amount of blame jack things i saw yeah people were definitely thinking about it it was like obnoxious how many people blamed you you know it's funny i was forgetting how many people listen you know it's pretty weird people are pretty locked in people are pretty locked in so that was uh that was again it was still jarring watching it happen but yes he blew a save and then kind of got hit around on on on saturday i think the new thing that they have to do is just stand on the line like Yeah. The hitters are, for real.

The hitters are probably going to be late on 103. Dude, it's 103. Like, they're not, like, they're not turning on it. Like, I don't think you have to worry about it, you know? Yeah, maybe, maybe let everyone know when a fastball's coming versus when a splitter's coming. Another big point. Yeah. Stand on the line as best as they can.

I know they can't do that. But regardless, uh, shade towards the lines more like you could. You know, I meant for the standpoint of like, let everyone know when a fastball's coming. Oh, no, that part. Yeah, yeah, you definitely. can't do that. Yeah, you can't do that. Like hand signals or so, I don't know. Whistle, just whistle or bang a trash can.

Oh, I like that. And then the other team will never figure it out, you know? No, no, no, no, no. Yeah, it's good. But I, I just, it happens. Like, I'm so not worried about Duran, but I will say he's one of those guys that does have 100 plus that, that now his stuff is so good, like his splitter is so good that like, I don't think his fastball. is really going to get hit, but it's just so impressive how Major League hitters have gotten to the point

where they can square up 102 miles. It's insane, dude. It's so crazy to me that these guys get hit. I mean, like, Chapman, JT, take it. And like, all this stuff, it's like, I'm blown away by it. I think, it doesn't seem possible to swing that quickly into, you know, anyway.

I think that JT hit was the last hit that Chapman's allowed. He is not allowed to hit. Oh, really? I knew he'd been awesome. Wow, that's unreal. Wow. Well, I keep thinking back to, like, Joel Zemeyer and how the first time I saw 100 plus, it was like, well, that's obviously unhittable. But, I mean, you look at Helsley's getting ripped. You look at, like, Duran's fat, like, four seamer is not that great. You look at Lazzardo has like 98 from left side of this four seamer, and that's not a, like, it's arguably his worst pitch is a 98 mile an hour four seamer from the left. side that's not how this should work no at all at all so i just i can't believe i can't believe but yes i mean just but i was going to say when we were growing up and i forget that i grew up

at least when i was growing up the idea of someone throwing a hundred was nonsense like even in the movie major league they make him throw 99 because it's like oh well he's not going to throw a hundred like you know like it was like hundred was such a mythical thing like and now it's like when it's pops in at 103. I told you with the first one I was like said to Emily, that's the fastest pitch I've ever seen a Philly's pitcher pitch and they threw four more or whatever. It's like, like Ben Joyce.

I see his like stout, like it's like 104.8, 1004%. I'm like, what is happening? How did this like jump like this? It's crazy. Emily, by the way, very nice compliment on Saturday. She said, hey, you are looking skinnier. I said, pretty she knew what to say. She knew the right thing.

Well. You are. Honestly, it is it is in arguable. Like you are just skinnier. Like, there's no question. When you roll up in the new outfit that he teased in text messages. It did look good. There's a buzz.

There's a buzz. There's a buzz in the building. There's a buzz in a building when we saw you were outside. But yes, agree. There was a buzz around the wedding. And Jill and I got there with about five minutes of spare. Yeah, you really, you were like, save me a seat. And I was like trying to.

And you just kept being so late that it was hard to save you a seat. But yeah. In my defense, which Jill does not agree with. The road was ridiculous. All of a sudden, it just split, and it went from, like, express and local or something. I was like, well, obviously, I'll just take the express. And there was... No, there's nowhere to get back over.

Yeah, you had the point you can't get the exit. You don't get... Because you're not on the local. Yeah, it's a lot. And I tell you what, there is no more sink... Freaking Jersey, dude. There's no more sinking feeling than passing your exit and knowing... Oh, it's the worst feeling in the world.

I'm like, because all that... And this, of course, across my brain. The only thing standing in between us and that exit was about five yards of grass. Yeah. Like, I thought about it. Thought about it. You know, you know, I've, but thankfully, they said 5.30, but then it started to like 5.40. And we were not the last two people there.

I want that on the record. You were the second to last people. The second to last people there. Second to last people there. Yeah, it's good. It was good to see it. Good to see everyone. So. Yeah. And the Phil's one. They were on the verge of blowing it. I think I let a, I think I let out a clap on the Edmundo home run in the middle of the, in the middle of the bridesmaid speech, maybe. It was something like that. And we all looked over and we're like, Jack, buddy. It's like, come on. Hold on. Tucker would appreciate it. He had his phone out immediately, too. Like there was no question. Like, 605, Jack was like, all right, I'm watching. I come by me like a minute later or two minutes later. It's like, no. knows looks good you know he was just like we're at like a reception just hanging out he's like got his phone in his hand at all times it's a very classic friends right there i listen i

got one text that nola was sitting 94 and i said well i'm not letting you to be the one the one that's this so yeah it was good man it was good yeah you i think you you you were exactly what tucker would have wanted you to be and that's all i was trying to do now was i what jill wanted me to be probably not no no but that was probably never going to have it anyway so you know yeah listen it's year seven for us today's our anniversary so she she knows what she knows by this point that's right it's year seven but also year like 27 so yeah same thing yeah all right all right i'm gonna let you go that's what i got going on around you uh studies over here we'll be back after the mad series big series handle business boys all right until then these red some salter