High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - NLCS Game 2 Postgame Victory Pod

Episode Date: October 18, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react live from Citizens Bank Park to the Phillies' 10-0 win over the Diamondbacks in Game 2 of the NLCS. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

Another fact, so jump aboard the BIB Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Yo! It is a special post-game edition of High Hopes Radio. What a night at Citizens Bank Park. It was a party here tonight, Fritzy.

10-0. We whooped their asses. Like, the Diamondbacks had no idea what was in store for them tonight. The Phillies, just a way better baseball team, man. Like, what a showing tonight. Aaron Nola, brilliant. Schwarber, two bombs just pouring it on just man like we've had some special nights down here this has been a special run like

we talked about before 11 and 0 now against National League teams in this building last two years no big deal they've outscored opponents 39 to 8 this postseason uh it is just it it seems like every night it's like can't be better than that and then it's better it's unbelievable what a team what a night what a what a what a feeling man like i said in the pregame seltzer his ass was his ass was grass You had no chance. And, you know, I think tonight, I'm always hesitant, right? Like, I know that people view me as this, like, Philly's blind optimist, and I am. You are, in a lot of ways. But in a lot of ways, I'm also like, how's this going to go wrong?

Totally. You're actually quite the conundrum. Yeah, but hard to figure out. Tonight was, like, the first time where I just said to myself, I think they're going to do it. I think they're going to do it. And whether they do it or not, the next time that we're going to be in this ballpark is going to be for the World Series.

I agree. I think they're sweeping, man. I said coming in that I thought they'd win in five, but that I thought it was more likely to be four than six. Look, the Diamondbacks only win if the Phillies let them. Exactly. That's it. Dude, they bludgeoned their two best starters.

I know. That was what the Diamondbacks had going for them was these two dudes. It was these two dudes, and it was Corbin Carroll. And the Phillies have done an unbelievable job at completely neutralizing all of that. And, like, Merrill Kelly wasn't bad tonight he was fine he was fine yeah but it's just but when you're going up against playoff nola you got to be better man yeah and and whoa no i tell you what um you know we are we are two guys who throw out a lot of takes a lot of opinions a lot of uh you know good stuff i would say that of all of our takes that have aged well, the whole take of Aaron Nola has a chance to rewrite his season.

Totally. Nothing we have ever said in the history of this podcast slash radio show has aged better than that because he totally has. Dude, I haven't thought – tonight was a sealer for me from the standpoint of like – because I was full – You were more concerned going in. I was super confident because this was the start last year where it started to fall apart for playoff nola and it was you know it was six runs against the padres out there he blew a

four nothing lead and it was like same old nola that this is not the same old nola and and just to wax poetic about his night because it's going to get overshadowed because they scored 10 runs and they destroyed them. The way that he pitched his way out of jams all night, it has been the single biggest Achilles heel with him all year long. When runners get on, it seems like that guy scores every single time and he was having such a hard time at controlling runners and and stopping the bleeding of an inning and tonight even you know what how it started in the first inning yeah an error to start the game Corbin Carroll on base it's like uh-oh and by the way run him what do you What are you doing? I swear to God, I swear to God, I'm a better manager than Torrey Bell. Like, I feel very confident.

Man, managers come in here for playoff games and forget how to manage. I mean, Doug Melvin, I saw it last year over and over again, the amount of mistakes. And look, I think that's part of it. I think that's the pressure that this Phillies team puts on teams is that, you know, look, Snicker did it in the first game of the series. He came in and changed his lineup, this all-time great lineup. This Phillies team in the playoffs is so relentless and so prepared and so ready to play that, you know, they just boat race teams like this if you're not ready for them.

They do. And they make managers make mistakes. I do believe that I deserve some credit for the win tonight oh really yes i'm not sure you i'm not sure that you saw this oh but um you know it was a semi-tight game you know it was early on a little bit yeah and it felt like the phillies were gonna win but it was like three nothing and it was kind of last night where this should be like a 5 spot. And we're standing over here, section 126, obviously having a great time, per usual.

Party. And I see this nice lady drop her water bottle. Obviously go over and pick it up. Sure. Happened to be Joe Mantiply's wife. Bang. Next inning. See ya. See ya. I mean, bye bye, Joe.

Yeah. Joe Mantiply, the only real lefty in the time back. Leaving him in to face JT Real Muto tonight. So, yeah, bang up job per usual. And this team is just a wagon. Like, they are an absolute wagon. And I just – it's so hard, and I think it's hard for you. I'm sure it's hard for diehard Phillies fans to, like, wrap our heads around what this team is accomplishing right now. Not only is Citizens Bank Park the coolest place in sports.

By far. It's like there's – like, walking into coolest place in sports it's by far it's like there's like walking to the ballpark it's never a doubt like it's just what cool thing are we gonna see tonight how are they gonna win this ball game tonight like what special moment is gonna occur they're so good and they're such winners. And, like, again, the next time we're here is probably going to be World Series. Game three, probably. Yeah, I think Texas is going to take it.

But regardless, I think you're right. I think the next time we'll be here for a game is the World Series. And to your point, I mean, look, we've been doing the High Hopes podcast since 2017. They were a 66-win ball club when we started the podcast. And what they've done really just the last since Dave Dombrowski Dave Dombrowski got here and and John Middleton bringing him in and

Dave Dombrowski and entrusting him and the job he has done has changed everything about this organization Jack I mean this is a winning ball club this is a winning culture. This is a team that is built for the bright lights and the biggest games. And it's all we ever asked for. It's all we ever wanted when we talked about how much we love the Phillies because we love the Phillies. And Jack, to not only get to come here every night, to your point, to the best party I've ever been a part of, I keep saying it, it is the single greatest communal experience I've ever been a part of. I keep saying it. It is the single greatest communal experience I've ever been a part of. I'm serious. It is being part of this crowd, being part of the vibe, the energy,

the whole thing is special. It is unlike anything I've ever felt before. But also to just to know that this team is going to come out and be prepared and be ready from the top on down. We talked about Topper and the coaching staff and how aggressive they've been and how prepared for everything. And then Jack, like if that weren't enough, it's my favorite team of my lifetime. Like I love these guys.

You know what I keep saying? Like this is the first time in my life. Not only do I want a championship for me, of course, I've got two in 42 years. I desperately want one. I want those guys to win. I wantryce harper to be a champion i want trey turner to be a champion i want nick castellanos to be a champion like all these guys like i want them to be champions as much as i want myself and us as fans to be a champion i've never felt that in my life well buddy i gotta be honest i think you're gonna get to let's go i think you're gonna get your let's go let's go all right 215-592-9494 if you're in traffic which according

to some texts i've gotten i'm guessing there are a lot of people in nice so yes i don't know how they figured this out but there was uh uh tweets put out tonight that apparently every single parking for the first time ever okay every single parking spot in the complex, from the link to here to the – every single parking spot was filled for the first time ever tonight. Great. It's good. I'm glad we made history.

And the Phillies made history. A 10-0 shellacking of the Diamondbacks, just breaking their soul. I mean, that era at the end, it was just like, oh, my God. So, again again full disclosure do not lie to the wip listeners now that you know they're combined yeah with the high we're building the high hopes thing i really have i have no idea what happened after the second like i just like second schwarber homer i was like counting outs you know like i was i was counting out so i was like this is over let's get to I was, I was counting out. So I was like, this is over.

Let's get to the post game show because all I want to talk about, I thought this was about to come right through our window. Yeah. So that was, that was a little, that was a little dicey. Yeah. A little dicey. Lost control of it. We got it back. Well done, sir. Never doubted that guy. Yeah. I just, all I can think about – now I'm glad they scored 10. Now I'm just on to the World Series. I know that's looking ahead.

You're leaving for Arizona in a couple days. I'm leaving for Arizona. I expect to party with the Phillies in Arizona as National League champions. Dude, can we just put it into context that they're about to win back-to-back pennants? Dude, I mean... What world are we living in? It's only happened once in, I think, once in my lifetime.

I think once ever, right? I mean, that's the only time. Yeah, for the Phillies I'm talking about. Obviously, 08-09 is the only time they've ever gone to the World Series in back-to-back years, unless they did it in the 30s or something. Well, no. They went from 1950 to... Early, I mean or something. Well, no. They went from, like, 19, 15. Early.

I mean, whatever. Way early, yeah. No, I mean, like, 80 and 83. 80 and 83, and then, you know, 93, 809, and that's it. Like, this is something that doesn't happen for us very often, and it's a special team that's doing it, and the love affair between team and town is something I've never seen in my life. 2-1-5-5-9-2.

94-94. Let's take your reaction again. If you're in traffic, if you're home already, if you just can't sleep because you are so in love with this team, and it's all you can think about because that's me. Every second of every day I think about this team, and, man, do they reward us for it. 2-1-5-5-9-2.

94-94. Let's start out where-9-4-9-4. Let's start out where we have every single game that we can. Besides last night. Besides last night. He's back tonight, our guy Black Brady. What about? So, baby mama Nolo. Baby mama, you weren't here last year when I was calling Jack in,

but this was right around the time when I called in and I told Jack, I believe in dreams again. I believe this run will never end. I got that feeling back. It's over. It's over. We're going to the World Series. And let me tell you something.

The joy of my heart, it was my birthday today. I won a Nobel Prize. Oh, happy birthday, O. And Jack will tell you, I said Bone was going to get himself together. Now, he didn't hit my parlay. I would have himself together. Now, he didn't hit my parlay. I would have been a millionaire today if he didn't hit my parlay. He should have 10 more inches on that back. You know what I mean?

I wouldn't even be calling you. I'd be in Costa Rica right now. But just to see him come alive at the bat, you know what I'm saying? Like, Nola wins six. My goodness. People keep talking about all these records of teams we play. We're setting records in the postseason, and those are the records that matter. Those are the records that come up when you're champions.

Those are the things that people look at and they can't understand. Santa's back in the stands. He has forgiven Philadelphia. It's a wrap for everybody, okay? Schwarber is the fastest man alive. I don't know what advantage point you were at when you fought, but his little shoes was chubbing around that base.

He was running. And I'm just happy. And to be this happy and to feel this good, I'll put it right back into where I was last year. And this fan base, this team, this city, you guys and I deserve this. Oh, my God, we deserve it. We deserve it because we love them as much as they love us. And I don't care what nobody says.

Merle the girl, whatever his name was, whatever he wanted to say, now he's trying to backtrack in his little interview book. Yeah, he said he was taking out of context. Buddy, come on. Relax. You know that we can hear you, right? You got cameras in your face. There's no out of context. You said what you said and

guess what? You did okay, but you didn't do good enough. I've been calm this whole time, but I'm going to tell enough. And I've been kind this whole time. But I'm going to tell you guys one more thing. James Seltzer, I love you so much. John Jack Fritz, I love you so much. Bryce Harper, thank you for choosing me. I love you, Philly.

And Ronald Toomer! I love you. Doesn't get better than that. And look, I'm so with him, man. You know, we've talked about it a lot, but for me, the thing that is most special is the love affair between this team and this town. I've never in my life felt like a team loved me,

loved me as a fan, cared about me, cared about me being here and being a part of it the way these guys make us feel. So I got two things. One, I'm sorry, Merrill, for tweeting out that video. Seems like you weren't able to handle that very well. Did you see the bullpen before the game? Have you seen that video?

Oh, man. They were going at him when he was doing his bullpen before the game. It's a real shame. Yeah, it was great. It was great. And then number two, you talk about the love affair and you talk about the relationship between the the team and the city and i think one of the coolest parts of that right now and i'm i'm really really happy for him because i feel like he's finally realizing it but i'm i'm really happy for nola you know nola for the first time has really embraced

like we're hearing a lot of aaron talking about how he wants to stay here forever totally man loves pitching in front of this crowd and he's he's tipping his hat tipping the cap and and like that stuff matters and it just makes us it makes us want to be behind you even more um and you know he's just pitched so much better since he just kind of let it go since he just kind of let it go. Like he just kind of let it go. He's had a, he's had an up and down tenure here, obviously 2018, you know, it feels so long ago that we were talking about him striking out Mookie Betts in the all-star game and

it started Boston started starting family. Are you kidding me? And striking out Bryce against Scherzer down in, uh kind of put himself squarely in the Cy Young race. And me watching Nola versus Scherzer on my honeymoon. I remember. We go very, very far back with Nola. And I'm just really happy that it feels like he's finally letting himself, letting his guard down in a way. And letting us just wrap our arms around him because the team has as as let us wrap our arms around them

and he was the one that was like kind of guarded in that way and i think by doing that you're seeing the best version of aaron nola i just he's gonna get resigned now and i'm perfectly fine with it like it's getting to the point where we had multiple people coming up, like, got to bring him back, right? Yeah. Like we talked about, again. He's now our guy. To the point you made, like, he has changed his –

not just season, his legacy. Yes. Well, now people are like, that's a big game picture. Totally, totally. Which is not the case, I mean, most of this year. No, and also to your point, like we talk so much about Reese Hoskins as like the guy who's been here for so long and how much he means to us because Nola has too.

Nola's been here longer. Dude, Nola's been here since 2015. And we don't talk about him that way. We don't think about him that way. And like you said, it's been very up and down his tenure here. And I'm so with you, man. I'm so happy for Aaron Nola, and he's earned it. Like, he's Aaron Nola, 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94.

Aaron Nola this season, Kirstie and Bob Winkle put this out earlier. He's pitched 18 and two-thirds innings, 12 hits, two walks, two runs, 18 strikeouts. Aaron Nola has been absolutely brilliant this playoffs. All right, 2-1-5, 5-9-2. 94-94. We'll continue to take your calls on the other side reacting to a 10-0 drubbing of the Diamondbacks. What was that score? A 10-0 in the National League Championship Series.

Too easy. No big deal for our Philz. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94. It's High Hopes Radio on a special edition of Final Out. We're coming right back. Swung on, hit to the air, right center field. That one is walloped. It is gone!

Into the Phillies' bullpen. Second home run of the night for Kyle Schwarber. It's another solo shot. And the Phillies are on top 3- nothing as the fireworks explode off the top of the bell what a shot from Kyle Schwerber three in the last two nights third Philly to have a multi-homer game in the past four games man and if you include Cassianus's two the Phillies have had four multi-homer games in the last four games no big deal pretty freaking impressive we are broadcasting live from the deborah heart and lung center broadcast booth deborah heart and lung center

the delaware valley's only heart hospital getting back to the phones in just a minute let's get to the player of the game brought to you by south jersey gas committed to providing safe reliable affordable natural gas make the switch southjerseygas.com slash love my home and fritzy we just heard him man schwarber again you know just it is unbelievable just kind of average to the nlcs and then bang and it's just like tank shots like that that first one was another like i don't know what it was must have been 115 somewhere in that range again it was so hot off the bat it's just. It's just wild how this guy could just get up there and all of a sudden just get white hot out of nowhere. Well, it's like, you know, and again, we're not in the clubhouse,

but I feel like what he's telling his teammates is, I'm going to kick my feet up when you guys make the NLCS. That's when I show up. And back-to-back years of doing essentially nothing in the first two rounds. And then, bang, the second the NLCS starts and the games get bigger and the lights get brighter, bang, there's Kyle Schwarber. And he is just such a game changer. And, you know, we talked pregame how good Turner looks.

By the way, Turner. Yeah. Well, it's funny. Our two players to count on were Kyle Schwarber and Trey Turner. That played out pretty well. It did. So Turner goes big fly. Bryce was fine again, although they were starting

to walk him a little bit more tonight. Which is good that Alec Boehm was able to come through. Yeah, man. Came through and that one like, josh. Well aware. No, I'm well aware. You bet on it. No, I had a Boehm anytime home run, and I had a Harper anytime home run. Both caught at the wall. Yeah, well, you could use a loss right now.

You've been white hot with your bets. Well, listen. It hasn't helped that much. I put a lot out there. So, and by the way, if Trey Turner could just steal a base one of these days. Like, one of these days. There was multiple times tonight where I was like, all right, go. Like, you can go now.

But either way, yeah, Kyle Schwerber heating up, obviously the home runs he had in the NL this year. Adding that to this lineup that was already taking the ball out of the ballpark at a really good clip, it's just – it's all rounding into form at the right time. Oh, and by the way, mentioning Boehm, we can't not mention the – Oh, my gosh. What a play. What a play.

It might be the best defensive play he's ever made in his career. One of them. It's up there. 100%. From the knees to get him like that. Made another nice one later too. It was also a tight game at that point. That was an important play.

Very, very important. It was an important play. And, again, like we talked about it pregame, but I honestly believe him last year to this year is the single greatest one-season improvement I've ever seen defensively from a player in my lifetime watching baseball. It is miraculous. Well, what about Bryce Harper figuring out how to play?

That's a whole other. I mean, the dive and play at Nike night doesn't make that in a million years. Yeah. Unbelievable. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-9. Let's continue to get reaction. Our guy, we've seen him down at the ballpark every night. We've talked to him after every game.

Chad in Downingtown. What up, Chad? Six more wins! Six more! Six more! Six more wins! Six more wins, and we are world champions, Chad. Oh, guys.

That's a soul-crushing defeat for the Diamondbacks tonight. I mean, it just took all the air out of them. Evan Mongoria forgetting how to play defense, and he's been in the league for however long, and all he knows how to do is play defense. Yeah, Lourdes Gurriel forgetting how many outs there were. They were broken by the end. They really felt like a broken baseball team tonight.

Yeah. All right, so, Jack, I remember about two weeks ago, one of my first calls on here, you had said, we're in for a long month, and I'm starting to feel it. I'm a little tired, but we'll bring the energy. Chad, you want to talk tired, buddy? We're with you, buddy. I am so tired.

I have to be up in less than three hours, so I feel you, pal. All right, well, I'll let you guys go and continue this great post-game show that you guys do, and it's more of a routine now. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's like when I see you walking in the ballpark, it's like, I'll talk to you in six hours, all right? After another win, I'll be talking to you on the post-game show. And that's how I feel with a lot of people here, man.

Chad, great call, buddy. We appreciate it. A lot of people here, it's like, yeah, good to see you again. Another win. I feel like we know everyone here somehow. Oh, for sure. I feel like everyone's like, hey, hey, hey. It is, again, and that just adds to the whole party atmosphere.

Like, that's the whole thing is it's so amazing down here, obviously because we're so intense and the games have been great and we've jumped on it, but also because it feels like we're all hanging out as friends and family and just celebrating something we love together. I mean, it's beautiful, man. You know me. Sappy Seltzer comes out sometimes. Oh, Sappy Seltzer, baby. I mean, it's beautiful, man. You know me. Sappy Seltzer comes out sometimes. Oh, it's Sappy Seltzer, baby.

But it's a beautiful thing, man. I am honored to be a part of this every night. Yeah, well, and especially when you get a laugher like you got tonight. It's much more free-flowing. It's pretty easy when it's said nothing. Well, because we have our spot, right? We have our lucky spot. Totally.

And I feel good in that spot. But even when it was like 7-0, I was like, you know what? I haven't seen my buddy. You went to see your buddy. Me and Elliot were like, is Jack okay? We haven't seen him for a while. We're not used to you being gone that long. I was just like, you know what?

I feel very, very confident in my baseball team right now, so I'll go see a buddy who I haven't seen in a while, and I'll see you guys later. I'll make my way back over here for the post-game show. Which you did, and for dancing on my own, and high hopes, and all the... Again, it just feels like routine. Like, I come here expecting to hear Dan Samuel at the end of the game,

expecting to hear high hopes, expecting to walk out with a win, and that is unlike any Phillies baseball we've had, you know, the last decade. So it is pretty special. Let's keep it rolling on the phone. Let's go to Phoenixville and talk to Jeff. How you been, buddy?

Oh, not too bad, James. I haven't talked to you guys since you got the morning show, so congrats. Thanks, man. No problem. He'll be on the air in five and talk to Jeff. How you been, buddy? Not too bad, James. I haven't talked to you guys since you got the morning show, so congrats. Thanks, man. No problem. He'll be on the air in five and a half hours. Yes, yes, yes. Cal Ripken Jr. has nothing on you guys.

You guys are the Ironmen to do this. I'm wired, but you've got to be in the station at what, like four? I'm like, oh my goodness gracious, man. God bless you. Look, this team's making it easy on me it's fun yes it is i will tell you um even at two nothing with nolo just cruising i wasn't nervous like i was in game one once he had you know um alvarado come in and kimbrough kind of like you know kind of not solid because it was a nerve-wracking game. But, you know, tonight,

he showed, Nola showed what he's made of. And I'll say right now, I am so happy for Alec Blum. Me too. The two hits he hit the first game, they were hit on the screws. Right to the guys. And I'm like, those are the kind of hits that, you know,

once you get them, you got more coming because that's what happened to Schwarber a little bit ago. Now he's just raking right now. Maybe I've got to go to Wawa in the morning and go get a Schwarber Fest hoagie. That's right. Well, the gobbler's out, so it's a good time to get him. Big fan.

What's so funny, Jeff, is because when they went up 1-0, 2-0, I was kind of with you, and I think it's because this Diamondbacks lineup just does nothing for nothing. I was kind of with you. And I think it's because this Diamondbacks lineup just does nothing for me. Even Corbin Carroll, who I love. We love Corbin Carroll. Yeah, he helped me win a fantasy championship this year. He should be a fourth best player, third best player. He's a rookie.

He's a rookie. He is a rookie playing in his first postseason, and he is easily their best player. That is not a team built to win the World Series. And you want to talk about a guy who I don't think is ready for this environment? Christian Walker is not ready for this. No, no. The local kid, it's a tough spot, man.

It is. It is a tough spot. Do I think it's – do my heart say they're going to sweep? Yes. I just think after tonight's butt – I guess I can't say that word. Butt-kicking. Well, you can say that. Yeah, it's okay. I can say can't say that word, butt-kicking. Well, you can say that. I can say that's kicking?

It's late night, man. Yeah, you can say that. Yeah, I think I'm at 1230. Hey, even better, even better. I just think, like, you know, what Nicole before said, this just took their soul. I really do.

And the crowd out in Arizona is nothing. They got nothing. You know, they're not even, you know, are they passionate? No, they're not passionate. It's a dome for crying out loud, you know. And it's a franchise that's only been around for 20 years or 30 years or whatever it is, you know. No, I think game three, I think we're going to have an amazing start from Suarez. And I just feel that, you know, they're just going to keep raking the ball.

Home run here, home run there. I mean, they're going to set records that probably won't be broken anytime soon. Jeff, great call, man, and good to hear from you. And that's how I feel, too. Like I said it before, I think the only way the Diamondbacks win a game in this series is if the Phillies let them, if the Phillies just don't show up. And everything we've seen from this team in the postseason is that that's not going to happen. This team is focused, they are ready ready and they are just so much better to his point about

record numbers uh sarah lang's put this out after the game jack the phillies have a plus 33 run differential so far in the postseason that's the highest run differential in an eight game span in a single postseason ever ever so run differential wise through eight games the phillies are the best team in postseason history i mean the the it's crazy man they put up 10 twice already this playoffs yeah yeah i mean a 10 spot twice it is very very because because playoff baseball is intense totally the phillies have essentially taken the intensity out of playoff they put all the intensity into hitting home runs it's crazy um and And listen, I expect the Diamondbacks to take at least one. But even if they do –

I don't, man. I know. I said five before the series, but I said I expected it to be four more than six. Look, look, we all remember we've talked about, you know, when we felt confident and things have gone the wrong way. I would be really surprised if this team doesn't go out and just handle business in Arizona. Yeah, well, the good part is – you know the pitching advantage and of course like even even if tywon walker starts game four that's an upgrade over whatever the diamondbacks

are gonna throw out there or if it's chris sanchez which i think it should be it's a big upgrade um you know and you have ranger versus brandon fought three. Like, that should be a win for you. Ranger has been amazing. Again, I said it. Again, career postseason ERA in the ones. And they have never lost a postseason game that he started. The last two years, every single time Ranger takes the hill to start a game, the Phillies win that game.

So, man, what a night. What a special team. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94. We'll continue to take your calls after the break as again we just revel in a special Phillies team and a special place in Citizens Bank Park

right now and I really believe that the next time we're going to be in this building screaming and going crazy it's going to be the World Series and that is awesome. Alright 215-592-9494 again we'll take your calls on the other side it's Fritz it's Seltzer it's a special edition of World Series, and that is awesome. All right, 215-592-9494. Again, we'll take your calls on the other side. It's Fritz. It's Seltzer. It's a special edition of High Hopes right here on Final Out.

Hey, fantasy football owners. The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception. Join me and James Coe as we take a deep dive into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster. Wide receivers. We analyze route running, target share, and into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster. Wide receivers. We analyze route running, target share, and all the metrics that matter, giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers.

As you prep for your draft, let us give you the coverage you need. Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. 0-1 the count, and Kelly delivers in the pitch. Swung on, hit deep deep left center field and that one's gonna go and Trey Turner gives the Phillies a 1-0 lead third home run of the postseason for Trey Turner it's high ups radio Jack Fritz James Seltzer with you as we react to a 10-0 dominant every time you say it I say it, it doesn't compute.

It doesn't sound real. I know. It does not compute with me that they just – this is the NLCS. It's not supposed to be this easy. First off, if you're the Dodgers, how embarrassing are you? Oh, my goodness. That is so –

listen, I'm not trying to disrespect the opponent. That team's not very good. They're just not. You're the Dodgers. Have some pride. 101 wins or whatever. Embarrassing, man. It's embarrassing.

Yeah, it is. It is embarrassing. Even the Brewers. Even the Brewers, who win all the time, whatever. You let that team just come into your house and beat you twice? Yeah. Yeah, they won four road games. They were 4-0 on the road coming into the series.

Like, think about that. Dude, they had trailed in one inning. Yeah, they were undefeated in the playoffs. That Diamondbacks team was undefeated in the playoffs and had trailed one inning. Yeah. One freaking inning. It shows how good this Phillies team is, man. It's not even how good they are, and we've talked about it.

We get it. But, like, it's just the way they are just so locked in. It's unbelievable. They're so locked in. And I think, you you know like trey now like it's just going off again trey has been the most consistent hitter throughout the playoffs like he leads in hits he's got like a four something obp or five something obp in the playoffs he's been phenomenal and look we i know we've talked about a ton but i said it in the

moment as it was happening and once trey went on the run again the run again For the ovations and then for him to have the best Month of his career after that but for it to just Continue like I mean it's one of the great sports stories of all time One of the great like in this city of Philadelphia like we have had a lot of Wild awesome sports things For ovations to completely

And totally turn around this guy's season And turn him back into the 300 million dollar guy they signed is crazy. It's crazy. It doesn't feel real. It feels like something that would be in a sports movie, and you'd be like, all right. And it's real.

This team, man. This freaking team. I do need Schwarber to calm down because I do have Trey Turner. Oh, and I'll see SMBP. And I'll see SMBP. And I had my finger on 1300 for schwarber and i'm so so mad at myself right now yeah i would say right now schwarber the leader in the clubhouse for the nlcs mvp but look turner's in it two more wins yeah two more wins

exactly so there's still a lot of baseball to be played. 2-1-5-5-9-2. 94-94. Let's try and get a couple more calls in before we get out of here. Dude, that second home run was – I saw him. Oh, yeah. I mean, that was in the bullpen. In the bullpen, man. And the first one was just like a line drive shot that left the building in like two seconds. Dude, he's the best, man. He is.

He is so – Kyle Schwarber home runs are just beautiful. I said earlier in the season, like, he is one of the most fun baseball players we've had in a long time because, look. Well, you know every kid is playing him in wiffle ball. And that's the thing. Like, look, is it a little cliche, whatever? Sure.

It's super fun to see home runs. Like, it's awesome. And when this guy hits them, they're different. They are different off his bat. It's super, super cool to see. 215-592-9494. Let's go back to the phones. Go to our guy, Tommy Vancouver.

Tommy! Gentlemen! How you doing? I appreciate you trying to be quiet right now in your house, because I'm sure someone's trying to sleep. That was a very subdued but also very excited time at Vancouver Open. You have picked it up, Jack. You picked it up.

So, yeah, you've got to pump up the volume there. Get those levels up. Yes, exactly right. I've got people sleeping in here. But, man, holy man, that's so awesome. We're so excited. So my son and I are standing in front of the television, standing the whole game, waving our little red towels. So no one can see us. No one can hear us. But we're doing it anyway.

I love that. I'm so glad that even though they lost that horrible game five that I was at last year, I'm so glad that I got to be a part of that experience in that ballpark because it is so amazing. And I just I'm living this relief through you guys. Thank you so much for that. Oh, Tom. Love you, buddy. Well, I love you, man.

And that is the coolest thing about this for Jack and I personally. Let me speak for both of us right now. You know, when we started this pod, the whole reason we started High Hopes Pod was we were two best buds who just absolutely loved the Phillies. And we were like, all the Phillies talk out there, it's just always negative and it's always a bummer

and I know they're not good, but like we still love this team. And to have the pod born out of that and have like a community formed around it of people who are like, yeah, I love the Phillies too, man. I love baseball. Baseball is great. And for it to grow and now for us to have this team

and have everyone coming on board and being like yeah the phillies are great like it's one of the most gratifying things that's happened in my life like it is it is special and deandre swift was here tonight deandre swift and throw edmunds apparently throw edmunds call the schwarber home run not the uh not the biggest name that was here. Charlie Day in the house tonight. Any host of the post-game show here on WIP. People ever wondered, you know, in the same place at the same time. There we go.

There we go. There we go. But, yeah, no. And thanks for the call, Tommy. We love you, buddy. I hope this is, yeah, I mean, we were literally just two dudes. Love baseball. We're like, well, should we talk about it?

And, yeah, it turned into this. Did I think when the podcast was kind of taken off that it would turn into back-to-back pennant winning teams? Dude, we just wanted. I did not think that. Yeah, we were just like, just just be a a winning ball club dude we did when they went when they won 81 games it was like dude we might be the goats i know dude we were like so fired up about it it was like yeah yeah yeah and look and now it's real and it's

dude it's real and they're the story in sports right now and we're the story that and we've talked about a lot but it's that's what's so cool about this whole run is it's obviously this team is the story in sports right now, but it's this building. It's this experience. It's the team in this building in front of this crowd. It's the story of the postseason. It's the story of baseball right now.

It makes me proud, Jack. I feel proud. Look, we as Phillies fans, we haven't had a lot of winning in our lifetime. Really? Maybe the losingest franchise in the history. Hit the breaking news, Zander. But, you know, like it's rare that we're talked about as like this special team and this special place and like a baseball heaven, dare I say, Jack.

Like, I don't know. It just fills me with a lot of pride. It really does. Well, and, you know, and us being the fan base that did the standing ovations thing, I still think it's funny. It's not just funny. It's, like, narrative changing.

It's like instead of snowballs at Santa Claus, talk about ovations. Talk about us loving our guys. Talk about a love affair. Like, yeah, absolutely. Because that is the most tired, ridiculous thing. We all know it. If you're from here, I don't need to tell you.

Like, we are awesome fans. And we care. And we are passionate. And we just want to freaking win. And we want players who care as much as we do. And, like, what a team, man. Because I don't think there's ever been a team that it feels like is more us than this group. Yeah.

Special. 2-1-5-5-9-2-9-4-9-4. Let's get one more call in before we get out of here. If you're on the line, I'm sorry if we can't get you. Tom Kelly's coming up next. He's going to be talking. Teaks. Teaks.

We love our teaks. Well, hold on. I wonder. I'm very curious to see. Oh, yeah. It's a big night for him. Yeah, Mr. Fake Ace Aaron Noah. Yeah.

Shoving again. I think a mea culpa might be in order from our guy Tom Kelly. But let's get one more call in before we get out of here. We talked to him in the pregame show. Let's round it out with our guy Gordon in Miami. Hey, Gordon. Hey, boys. It's good to talk to you.

Another big win. Never a doubt. Was that a better crowd tonight than Venezuela versus USA or what? Hell yeah, it was. And when we talked before the game, because we're all very, very smart baseball fans, we talked about expected batting average. Yep. And that team came through tonight, right? Like, after the barrage of solo home runs, the hits all dropped and we whooped them.

And that's about where we should have been. Probably about seven runs per game over the first two. Yeah, you're right, man. A lot of those balls finally came, you know, finally found some holes. The JT won, the Marsh won, all that stuff. And it is funny because it's been home run, home run, home run, home run, and then all of a sudden, you know, the second half of the game, they just manufacture runs and get hits.

Yeah. But now I know you guys are at the game, and I wish I was there with you, but they've been doing these telo-telo alternate broadcasts with a bunch of ballplayers watching the game. And, Jack, I know you're a baseball and a pitching sicko. You've got to go back and watch the game. When you see Pedro Martinez being on the same page as Aaron Nola and JT Romuto about what they're going to throw next in this situation,

it's a really brilliant thing to watch Pedro, of all people, be like, yeah, Aaron's going to throw the curveball right here and then he throws a sweet curveball Gordon Gordon strike somebody out Gordon great call buddy let's talk next game uh you don't need Pedro Martinez to do that just watch the game with Jack Fritz you were on fire tonight you were talking the sequencing and setting up and you were like up you're gonna throw the curve here and bang like you were on fire tonight i've watched a lot of aaron noel i will say for old old old like back i'm talking old w old uh old high hopes where it was just me sometimes where i do like a solo i hope oh yeah i remember one of them

i just talked about how aaron noel is this generation's ped. So, again, the takes back of the day were certainly wild. But, yeah, I mean, I'm such a pitch sequencing nerd. And being in the ballpark makes it so much easier. Like, you can see how they're reacting to pitches. Either way, Aaron Nola, you know, to kind of put a bow on this whole thing, Aaron Nola tonight, like he just is is cementing himself as not only a big game pitcher but he's pitching his way right back into 175 plus million dollars i think um and the nice part is is that i think the city's gonna be fired up for him and you know i kind of felt that I think the city is going to be fired up for him. And, you know, I kind of felt that way in the open.

You know, obviously the short home runs were great, and Turner and the offensive explosion. But for that guy, for first inning, Corbin Carroll gets on after a bad Trey Turner error and just battling through that. Mows him down. Boom. Anytime there's any runners on base, it was like Aaron's going to find a way to get through that.

And that has been the biggest change in his season is that early in the year that turns into three, four, and then you're leaving the ballpark just with a bad feeling in your gut. And he has completely changed that. And I don't think it's coincidental that he's starting to embrace the fans and tip his cap. And I'm happy that he's – I guess he feels a part of this. Totally.

I want him to feel a part of this. I want him to appreciate that, hey, man, you built this. You know, like you were the guy. You were our first-round pick in 14 that was up in 15 that, you know, was the ace of the staff when no one was paying attention. But, man, we had our freaking – we had our Noles. And, you know, it's been some ups. It's been some downs.

It's never fully trusting, but it's not out of a place of not liking Aaron Nola. It's just there's been a lot of scars with Noles here. And I'm just really happy that even if it is winding down which I don't think it is that it feels like he's opening his arms to the city and uh we're opening our arms back for him yeah it's totally changed his legacy here and look I mean if he does come back uh he's probably gonna go down with some Phillies records you know I mean he's one win away from tying Hamilton away that's what I mean like and just regular season stuff too I mean if he's one win away from tying Hamilton away. That's what I mean. Like, and just regular season stuff too. I mean, if he's here long enough, he's already,

you know, the strikeout. Are we retiring 27? Um, but look, that's the amazing thing that this team has in front of them. Six more wins. And this team,

look, this team already this season, this whole special thing. Like I, you know, they are my favorite team of my lifetime that I've ever rooted for. That's not going to change whether they win the World Series or not. I obviously want them to win it for them, for us.

But for those guys, you know, six more games and they can be legends. They can be legends in this city forever, for the rest of time, as champions, which is something that we have not had enough of in this city. And this group, this likable group can do it, man. I've said it before. I'll say it again. I'll keep saying it. If they finish this off,

it's the greatest Philadelphia sports story of my lifetime. And I'm really, really feeling like this team's going to get it done. Thank you to everyone who called into the show. I can't tell you how much we appreciate it. We could not do the show without you. Thank you to Justin. Morgan's seen doing a great, great job back in the studio. Awesome, awesome stuff.

Fritzy, what a night, man. See you at the World Series, buddy. See you at the World Series. Phil's go out to Arizona, handle business, and we'll be back in this ballpark. Sorry, Merrill. For the freaking World Series. Suck it, Merrill.

Sorry, Merrill. Sorry, Merrill. Yes, that was out of context, that suck it, Merrill. All right, again, thank you to everyone. Go, Phil's, man. Go, Phil's. What a that was out of context, that second Merrill. All right, again, thank you to everyone. Go Phils, man. Go Phils. What a special team, what a special night. Thank you for listening to a special edition of High Hopes Radio,

right here on 94 WIP.