High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - NLCS Game 6 Postgame Pod

Episode Date: October 24, 2023

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A special edition of High Elves Radio. Final out. They are going to make us lose our minds. I did not expect to be here right now. I expected to be here in a much happier mood, a happier moment. They didn't show up tonight, Fritzie. We're going to have the first Game 7 in the

history of the Philadelphia Phillies and don't get me wrong, there's no other person on the planet I would rather trust tomorrow than Ranger Suarez with that game, but I'm not there yet, Fritzie. I'm pissed off, man. I'm pissed off. I'm not going to freak out like last time,

but what the hell was that, dude? This team in this building has been so freaking special in the National League playoffs the last two years, and tonight for the first time, for the first time in this building, they didn't show up. Yeah, so I feel a couple things. One, I think they relied too feel a couple things one i think they

relied too much on the crowd i think they thought that they could just roll in here get behind this crowd and like the crowd would almost carry them in a way and i think they i think they relied too heavily on that um you know i i thought they got super tight out of nowhere you know like it was only three one i know and you. It felt like a five-run deficit. The way their approach has completely changed. They did a great job on Merrill Kelly early in the game. He had

45 pitches through two innings where they were making him work. Then they just threw it all out the window. For what reason, I have no idea. That's what's so disappointing. They completely no-showed in obviously a clinching spot. And it just continues to feel to me like they have overlooked this Diamondbacks team the entire time.

Went up 2-0. Going loose two straight in Arizona. And no-show game three. Game four, I don't know if they no-showed their closer-ish guy. He no-showed. closer-ish guy. He no-showed. They respond in Game 5. They swing the momentum back to their side. And they show up tonight.

And I thought that they just expected to come out and win a ballgame. And the Diamondbacks, they got some home runs. They took control of the game. And they just wilted. They totally wilted tonight. And all of a sudden, it's like, let's hit home runs. Stick to your ball game. Stick to your game plan.

So, I don't know how you let that happen, but I will say this. I'd still be surprised if they lost tomorrow. Like, I'll be able to do the doom and gloom No one's better at doom and gloom than me I didn't talk to you for the last six innings Jag was a mess this game You were not fun to be around At one point you disappeared

For a little while and Elliot and I were literally like I hope Jag's okay I just sat by myself We texted you, I was like are you okay and you just wrote back no So didn't handle it well. But there's no freaking way that a season that has been as special as this, that's been as good as this, that has had as many moments as this, in this ballpark, in this playoff series,

that they're going to lose a game seven at home after being punched in the mouth tonight. I would still be completely surprised. You have all of your horses rested and ready to go tomorrow. He can pull out all stops. If he wants to go to Zach Wheeler tomorrow, he can. And I think this team, I just think they're going to be fine. I think they're going to be fine.

And I know tonight sucked. And it bothered me how they showed up. And it was loser vibes. And I don't know why they did it. But I just, I think they got us tomorrow. I really do. I I don't know why they did it, but I just, I think they got us tomorrow. I really do. I think they got it.

So I do too. I just, it's one of those things where I, I do like, I really logically believe that they will win tomorrow. They're a better team. They're at home. And what I said at the top is true.

Like if you could pick, even with Zach Wheeler and as great as he's been, like if you could pick one dude in a, a, the season is on the line moment, Ranger Suarez has been that guy. He's got the best postseason ERA in the history of baseball. Like, yes, the Phillies are set up well for a game seven.

But to your point, like, we shouldn't be dealing with this. We shouldn't be going to a game seven. They didn't show up tonight. And that's why, logically, I do feel confident tomorrow. I think they have the pitching advantage. I do think the crowd will matter, whole thing and i believe in this team from what we've seen prior to this but like i can't say i'm sure anymore i can't say i'm sure anymore after what i saw tonight like they they've they have let doubt creep into this and and i do

think they'll win tomorrow but i'm i'm not as confident as I've been that's for sure well I mean and then it goes back to um it goes back to game four where this series should be over and if they don't it's it's an all time I mean it's an all time the stakes are really high it's an all-timer it's not just to go to the world series it's this whole thing this whole affair, this whole magical ride between last year and this year. Like, if they lose tomorrow, like, the whole feel about the team changes. Everything changes. The next season changes. The expectations change.

Like, it is, you know, it has been a real ride with this group. And I'm with you. I can't see it ending tomorrow. But if they blow it tomorrow, it's a disaster. Yeah, there's a lot of stakes. I mean, there's a lot of stakes in tomorrow's game from the standpoint of this team. How much can we trust them?

There'll still be goodwill, you know, NLCS. But it's like, it's the Diamondbacks. They won 84 games. And I know they're better than an 84. Look, credit them. They should have been down 2-0. They fought back. And even though the Phillies have let them win some games, like, you know,

credit to that team. They have fought hard, man, and they came in tonight ready to win, and they won. No, they totally did. They totally did. And, like, people will be mad at Nola. And I sort of get it. You know, obviously you want him to go out and be shut down. But at the same time, like, he allowed those home runs, settled in.

Settled in. Tonight is just totally on the offense. It's totally on the offense. And that's why tomorrow, you can't let what happened tonight happen tomorrow where, you know, they go up two. You know, go up one, I don't think people are panicking. Go up two, all of a sudden it's tight around here. It's tight around here.

And that advantage that is the crowd can become a disadvantage. It can. If it is tight in here, look, the players talk about how much they feed off the energy of this crowd, feed off the energy of this building. If the energy in this building is tight and afraid. Yeah. You know? That's how it was tonight. I mean, that's how it was tonight. It was a tight ballpark.

And look, I don't blame the crowd. I don't blame the crowd tonight. The crowd tried. Like, there were moments early on, like, when they were down 3-0, the crowd was still in it. When that first run scored, the crowd was going crazy. They were in it. But after time, after inning, after inning,

without anything to cheer for, like, it is hard to keep bringing that energy. Yeah, especially when there's no reason. Exactly. They didn't give him anything. They didn't give him anything. They could never just give a breakthrough hit. And Merrill Kelly was good. He was.

This is why I never want to – Yeah, we didn't – coming into the series, we were like, ah, Merrill Kelly. Yeah, he's crafty. He's a crafty righty. And, again, like it felt like they had a lack of composure. It felt like they relied on, hey, we're back at the ballpark. We're back at the bank.

We can't lose there. We can. And that's why I was mad at myself all day, James. I was mad at myself all day because I had a feeling of, they're never losing at citizens bank. I know, I did too. And I knew, I knew when I get in that mindset they're going to find a way to lose it. Like, that's a lock.

Every time I'm like, absolute, absolute, absolute, bang. They come and they totally surprise us. I just, it sucks. It really, it really sucks. Yeah, it really sucks, especially, again, because now we're sitting in a situation where even if we feel confident in the team tomorrow, I mean, it's a game seven.

It's baseball. Anything can happen. And there's the chance that this magical ride that has felt special, like really special, could come to an unexpected, disastrous ending. And that is concerning. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94. I can't have the cameras panning to the crowd tomorrow with the sad faces.

Yeah, because we've presented for all-time sad faces. I know. And it would be, and it should be. It should be. If they lose tomorrow, it's a bad one, man. It would be a really, really bad series loss. We look back at Game 4 would be an all-time loss. Game 5 would be the new Game 2 in 11.

Yep, that's exactly right. No, Game 4. Game 4, yep. And, you know, we shouldn't be here. We should not be here. But we are. And we're going to have a Game 7 tomorrow. 2-1-5-5-9-2.

94-94, it's High Ops Radio Special Edition, a final out. Let's take your calls. Let's start it out where we have every single night after these games. He usually calms us down when we're upset. I don't know where he's at tonight. Let's find out. Let's go to our guy, Black Gritty. What up, pal?

Nolo, baby mama. So, first of all, Nola, I'm not mad at Nola. He got himself back on track. It happened. What I'm mad about is Merle being a punk and fake walking Schwarber and Bryson and the pitching coach going out there acting like, oh, you're okay. Like, dude, you're scared of these guys.

You got them off their rhythm. You got the crowd out of it. You had a strategy. That goes back to Topper not messing with the lineup and they know it was coming and they had a strategy. Good for the Diamondbacks to come and win one game. They've won this game. I can't say nothing about it. They earned their

victory. Good job, Diamondbacks. That being said, baby mama, fix your face. Jack, you stay right where you are. I like you at the best music, 50-50 line all the time. Don't ever get happy. Don't ever get sad. You stay right where you are. Thank you. I appreciate that. Baby mama, this is Philadelphia. Yes, laugh like you just the pessimistic 50-50 line all the time. Don't ever get happy. Don't ever get sad. You stay right where you at. Thank you. I appreciate that. Baby mama, this is Philadelphia.

Yes, laugh like you just laughed. Smile like you smiled. The world is good. We are good. I have Bryce Harper, Trey Turner, Schwarber, and a rested bullpen, and I actually know Lorenzo can actually pitch again now apparently. So, Topper, fix your funky face and switch this lineup so that we get some help behind Bryce so he can't just sit there and pick apart this team to start the game tomorrow.

This is Philadelphia. This is Citizens Bank Park. Rally cows. It's still and always will be. We're getting to win tomorrow. Fix your face. Run, Atom! Like this, Topper.

Fix it, Topper. Fix it. Need it. He's not. Yeah, I don't think he's going to change the lineup tomorrow. I agree with you. If he didn't change it tonight, I doubt he does he's going to change the lineup tomorrow I agree with you If he didn't change it tonight, I doubt he does tomorrow Bowman had two hits tonight, ironically

Yeah, look It is funny, to Owen's point To Black Gritty's point About how, you know If they win tomorrow, we're all good Like, they're going to the World Series They still have a chance to win the pennant tomorrow And again, we think they should be favored They still have a chance to win the pennant tomorrow.

And again, we think they should be favored. They will be a favorite in the game, but it's just hard to get there right now when we just watch that tonight. Yeah, I know. But I think in about five minutes I will. Because I can only handle so much of like, oh, this team sucks, Topper sucks, everything sucks. I mean, again, I don't know if people want me to say it i'd just be shocked if they lost tomorrow i really would be like it's ranger suarez who i think we trust a

lot in these moments i i can't say i trust him as much as you do because every time i try to go that far ahead uh everything in my life crumbles yeah don't do that just stay with me yeah but um like you're telling me that brandon fought is going to do what he did again. You're telling me they're going to strike out nine times. I think this baseball team is pissed. As they should be, by the way. They should be. They should be.

At themselves, yeah. And this might sound absurd, but I would have rather lost the way they lost tonight rather than a close another comeback kind of demoralizing loss when you had all the momentum on your side. I could see that. Just being able to come out and flush it and say we're on to the next one. Like I think they're fine. And the more and more I think about it, the more and more I just keep circling back to

obviously we as a society like cannot let the Diamondbacks make the World Series. It's so important. I mean it's bad for baseball. It's horrible for the sport. It's hard for the sport. So we'll try to take care of that tomorrow. It's horrible for the sport. It's hard for the sport. We'll try to take care of that tomorrow.

And there's just been so much good for it to crumble like this. It would be – I couldn't put into words how horrible a loss tomorrow night is. And that's why I was obviously despondent for a majority of tonight. Barely talked to you. I know. Didn't want to talk to anyone on the concourse. Really tonight. Barely talked to you. I know. Didn't want to talk to anyone on the concourse. Really didn't want to talk to anyone until I opened the mic. I feel good about tomorrow.

I really do. Good. I feel good about tomorrow. All right. 2-1-5-5-9-2. 94-94. Let's see where you're at. Are you as confident in Jack and tomorrow as upset about –

Confident in Jack or confident as Jack? As confident as Jack. Because no one should be confident in me. That's a very good point. It's an important clarification there. Thank you, yes. Yes, yes. Are you as confident as Jack in tomorrow?

And are you as upset tonight as we are? 2-1-5-5-9-2. 94-94. We'll continue to take your calls. Special edition of High Hopes Radio Broadcasting live from the Deborah Hart and Lung Center Broadcast booth. Deborah Hart and Lung Center. The Delaware Valley's only heart hospital.

It's Fritz, it's Seltzer, it's High Ops Radio. Welcome back. Take your calls. Don't go anywhere. It's High Ops Radio. Special edition of Final Out. Jack Fritz, James Seltzer reacting to a – I wanted to say a word I can't say on the radio there.

A bleepy night down at Citizens Bank Park. I mean, you curse on everything else except for the radio. So he might as well. And I can tell morale's low because Buzz is back there just playing the generic return. And he's not talking to us. No highlights. But he's clear, not talking during the break. He's just silent back there.

Just sitting there despondent. I don't blame him. Probably with his socks on the table. Probably was not a fun game to produce. Yeah, the shoes off for Dan is a strange it's a tough it's a tough scene um i guess like listen i don't know man maybe it's because maybe it's because i just sat there and had to soak it in for a while and i got all my sadness out for the last hour and a half of the game i just i don't think they're losing tomorrow.

I know that could send a cold shiver down your spine, but I just think this year's been too good. I think the year's been too good. And I just, I can't live in a world where I'm supposed to believe that a rookie in a Game 7 of an 84-win baseball team is going to come in here and beat the Phillies with everything that's happened this year.

Like, tonight sucked. Tonight was an absolute no-show. But, like, to bank on that happening again, to bank on them losing two straight to lose a series, like, well, it's terrifying to think about. And if it happens, I mean, it's up there with the, like,

Elliot brought this up before the show, and I think I said it on maybe Friday or Saturday. I mean, this is Tampa Bay all over again. But at least Tampa Bay was like – The Bucs you're talking about. Yeah. Yeah, it's the Bucs all over again. But at least the Bucs had Hall of Famers.

They went on to win the Super Bowl. Yeah. Like, I just – I don't think that's going to happen. And I think tomorrow is going to be anxiety-filled, and I think people are going to be stressed all day. But I think when 7 o'clock rolls around tomorrow and we're doing the pregame show

and we get ready for 8, I think this place is going to be jumping. And there's moments tonight where even Nola's getting shelled and there's people still kind of standing up being like, you got this Nola's or whatever. It still has that feel, but Phil just never gave us a chance to get in it tonight. I mean, look, including tonight, they are 11-3 in this ballpark the last two playoffs,

and that's including two losses to the Astros, obviously. Look, they are a big favorite tomorrow. They should be a big favorite, and they should win in this building, and they are a better team, and they have a better starter going. There are reasons to be confident for tomorrow without a doubt it's just you know it's the whole they shouldn't have to play it and all of a sudden for the first time this this playoffs the philly season's on the line tomorrow man i can't believe we're here i can't believe we're here either it's like i literally years i mean literally with 11 11 years and then

last year and then this year like the fact that we're already back in the like we're playing our first game 7 in 141 years as a franchise yeah it's crazy

over 140 years this team's been around this is the first time they're playing in game 7 and it's gonna be here thank goodness I mean that's

that's something but it's going to be stressful thank goodness it's here but on that same message, this place, while great, can also be a detriment. Yeah, everyone needs to bring it tomorrow.

No, it's important. It can get tight here. It can 100% get tight here where all of a sudden people get tight. If you're not hitting, you're striking out a lot, you allow a run, and then everyone starts thinking about, obviously, the worst. Like, it's great when the Phillies are winning, but there is 100% a tight element. And then these last, honestly, this whole series has just felt so May Phillies.

Yep. Where they kind of just, what has been the most disappointing thing that has happened this series is there's been way too much rolling out of bed and expecting to win for me. And that's what they did at the beginning of this year where you were their NL champs. This is what we do. Yeah, they admitted it.

Castellanos admitted it. Right. Yeah. And I hope tonight – and that's why I'm glad they lost this way because I think that was humbling enough to be like, if we do that again tomorrow, we're packing our bags. And I think they have enough pride. I think they have enough gumption to where that's not going to happen.

2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94. Let's go back to the phones, talk to another guy we've talked to a lot this run, our guy Zach in Roxborough. Zach. Gentlemen. What's going on, man? Game reminded me of Game 4. This disgusted me in a lot of ways.

And I still have some hope for this. I feel like if my dad was here, he'd bring up the 77 fills, possibly even the 64 fills. Granted, this isn't as massive a collapse as that. Wow, let's not bring up 64. But it's a little heart-wrenching in the sense that, like, you had every opportunity in this game to put this away. I know Nola didn't show up in the beginning.

He definitely kind of did what Nola does every now and then in an inning. But he found himself. And you had, I counted at one point, they had 15 outs to score five runs, and they didn't do anything with it. And I just, I'm hoping and praying that tomorrow they come more disciplined at the plate. I got to ask you guys a question. How was the crowd there tonight?

Cause it didn't sound great on TV. So it started good. And even when they were down early, it felt like the crowd was trying, you know, and when they scored that first run, the crowd was really into it and all that. But as the game progressed,

like fifth, sixth, seventh inning, and the Phillies just kept doing absolutely nothing. It did start to get a little, was really into it and all that but as the game progressed like fifth sixth seventh inning and the phillies just kept doing absolutely nothing it did start to get a little a little less yeah i mean they just didn't give us a reason yeah there was that we were waiting people people kept trying and and it just it never got going so the only thing i gotta say that is the folks who left early i'm a little disappointed in you i. I called you a disgrace online. Maybe we'll walk that back

a little bit. But if you're going to the game tomorrow night, you have to come to this game tomorrow night ready to lose your voice screaming for this team. Because if you're not at that level, you better sell your freaking ticket right now to somebody. I agree. Zach, great point,

man. If you're there just for the scene, just to be there for the NLCS, ooh, look, the Phillies, ah, isn't this great? No, I don't want you there. I want the, like, rabid, rowdy, just, this is my life. This is the only thing that matters in this moment is this team frickin' wins this baseball game. If you don't have that energy tomorrow, you're not welcome.

Zach, great call. And yes, like, yes, that is exactly right. We can't do this whole playoff run and talk about how we are the story of the playoffs and SEC atmosphere. And literally, we've talked so much about how really in all of baseball this year, these crowds have been potentially the biggest story. We can't take pride in that. We can't relish that if we don't show up tomorrow.

Tomorrow, of all the games we've come to, this whole run, you know, it is easily the most important one, and it's the most important one for the crowd to show up for. I mean, arguably, it's like not arguably, it is one of the most important games in the history of the franchise tomorrow. It is a do-or-die in the history of the franchise tomorrow. It is a do-or-die game at home in the championship series. Like, it doesn't get much bigger. Tomorrow is massive for this team and for this fan base.

Like, we need to show up. A legacy game for the Philadelphia sports fans. Damn straight, man. But at the same time, and I feel that, I really do, they also got to give us something. Of course. And look, it's on the players first. Don't get me wrong. This crowd tonight, I thought early, was really do. They also got to give us something. Of course. And look, it's on the players first. Don't get me wrong.

This crowd tonight, I thought early was really, really into it. The Marsh, the Marsh double was really loud. People got going. They were ready. Yes, exactly. They could never, ever break through. Like, they just, they couldn't break through. And had they broken through, had they tied the game,

I think this place is just jumping. But they didn't get that hit. You know, they didn't get that hit. We can only do so much. I think we have obviously a great home field advantage, but we're just in the stands. Those guys have to go out there and do a job. Totally.

Let's go to Yardley and talk to Dan. Hey, Dan. Hey, guys. I really hope I'm not one of those sad faces tomorrow that you guys were talking about. It's alright. It's the right night for it. Yeah. My buddy and I have been to all the playoff home games, and we'll be there again tomorrow.

And I just thought, and like you guys just said, it's not on the fans. But tonight, I usually try to gauge it from the top of the first, however one is, with those first few pitches. And this was the weakest out of all of the games, in my opinion. I know it's 5 p.m. 5 p.m. is not friendly to getting raucous, but I just thought the juice was lacking from the start. Well, and you know what it felt like to me?

It felt like to me that, and, you know, maybe it's on me and Seltzer. Oh, wow. Yeah. I wasn't expecting that. But I think everyone was on the same mindset of they're going to show up and win tonight. That's our bad. You're right. We brought that energy. The players brought that energy.

That's why I'm glad they got humbled. I'm glad they got humbled like that because that was embarrassing. That is the first word that comes out of my mouth. It's totally embarrassing. I just think that everyone took for granted how great this place can be. And I don't think that will happen tomorrow.

I don't know. I feel like, I mean, I desperately want them to win more than anything. I'll be screaming my face off. But these approaches, ever since we got out to Arizona, have been pretty poor. I mean, Trey's swinging at most pitches he sees. Nick has not looked good other than driving a ball last game to deep center. Yeah. It's just, I'm not seeing a lot of great approaches.

We're not really working the pitchers. Obviously, I mean, Schwarber and Harper walked in the first, but, I mean, that's because they weren't getting pitches to hit. They weren't going to get pitches to hit. Kelly just admitted that. No, you're right, Dan. I hate the approaches right now. Good call.

And I think that's that, Jack, coming out of tonight, going into tomorrow, I think we all have a ton of confidence in Ranger. I have a ton of confidence in the fact that all the guys we trust the most, the Hoffmans, the Alvarados, all those guys didn't pitch tonight. You feel really good about the pitching side. It's funny that Jeff Hoffman is now in that conversation. He should be, though, but right? He is.

But, I mean, you feel really good about the pitching side of things. The question is, are they going to show up at the bats, especially against this kid who shut them down in game three? Totally. And if they have that same approach, it's going to be a long night. It's been a lot of trying to tie the game up on a home run when no one's on base for no reason. Yeah, I know.

They're down like four runs and they're swinging out of their shoes. Like trying to get that home run that rejuices the crowd. Well, you know what else juices the crowd is getting some hits and starting to rally. So, yeah, I feel way more confident on the pitching side tomorrow than I do the hitting side because outside of Schwarber and Harper, JT, yeah, Marsh. Marsh, yeah, Marsh has been there. They've given them the best of bats this series practically.

Still trust Dottie. And Turner, while he was hitting.500, he is back to chasing a lot, which we don't need that right now. Cassiano's chasing a ton. I don't really care that Boehm got two hits tonight. They were like little slappies. Yeah, they were weak little slaps to the right side. Jeter got 3,000 of those.

Talk about a not-impact player. The offense just does not have that look right now. So, I mean, it might be a game that you win 3-1. Wow, great. Nice and stressful. All right, 215-592-9494. It's High Hopes Radio's special edition of Final Out. We're broadcasting live from the DeBoer Heart and Lung Center broadcast booth, DeBoer Heart and Lung Center, the Delaware Valley's only heart hospital.

One more segment for us. We'll continue to take your calls. Tom Kelly's got you after that as we react to a brutal NLCS game loss, game six here at home and set up for the first ever, unbelievable, the first ever game seven in Philadelphia Phillies history. How crazy is that? I have a stat for you coming up next. It's almost hard to believe just how crazy it is

that the Philadelphia Phillies, who have been established since 1883, have never been to a Game 7 before. That's coming up next as well, as well as your calls. It's High Ups Radio. Don't go anywhere. 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 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. It is High Ops Radio, a special edition of Final Outjack.

Fritz James Seltzer reacting to a no-show. Another exciting return here. From the Phillies, yeah. Oh, Dan Wilson's just mailing it in. Oh, I mean. Checked out. Who's more? Who didn't show up more tonight?

The Phillies or Dan Wilson? It's a close one. Yeah, it's close. Probably still the Phillies, which is pretty sad for the Phillies. How about this? Or Devin Caney. Yeah, it's close. Yeah, probably still the Phillies, which is pretty sad for the Phillies. How about this? Or Devin Caney. Yeah, Devin, sad fan picture. Yeah.

On TV as the sad fan. Erica, her and her boyfriend on TV looking morose. Yeah. Way to go. Bad vibes. We just asked you not to do that. The cool returns just don't seem fitting right now. The generic returns seem like it fits the mood.

I know, but we already moved on from that to ripping Devin. Why didn't you jump in when we were talking about it? Well, I didn't want to cut you off mid-sentence here. You did anyway! We were talking about something else. Yeah, we were ripping Devin. I want to go back to turning my mic off. I mean, have a feel for me one time. Hey, Dan, put your shoes on, buddy. The shoes are on, by the way. That's only

a winning move. You're supposed to be Big Game Wilson. I mean, what's your... Yeah, no, they got Tucker coming back in for Game 7. My record's out the window now. Thank goodness. Seriously. Well, he blew game four. Yeah, well. We've all got our issues right now. Interesting to hear you're ripping another co-worker. Oh, yeah, it's messed up.

Messed up. We don't do that here. We don't do that here. All right, how about this one? Teams, and this will end for the Phillies tomorrow, only four teams in Major League Baseball have not played a Game 7. Obviously, the Phillies will play their first tomorrow. The Colorado Rockies established in 1993. The Seattle Mariners established in 1997,

and they don't ever make the playoffs. And the San Diego Padres established in 1969. The Phillies established in 1883 and never played a Game 7. How crazy is that? How insane is it that this is the first time tomorrow that we're playing a game seven? I mean, we don't make the playoffs that often either,

but. I don't know if you know this, James, but they are the losingest franchise in the history of sports. That's a good point. So it's hard to get to game sevens when you're not in that position very often. But yeah,

I mean, given all the 07 to 11, now they have them in game five. Yeah. So yeah, yeah, I don't know. It's, I, this might – this might be a big take.

I'm not looking forward to it. As simple as that. Yes. Well said. Not looking forward to it. It's going to be stressful. Sounds miserable. I mean, you can barely handle games when we're winning like seven to two.

You're still a mess. Yeah, and by the way, let me just clear this up for a lot of people out there. You know, there's a lot of tweets at me, you know, when they were down 4-1, 5-1. I'm like, oh, plays a live bet on the Diamondbacks. Hey, genius. It's like minus 10,000. Like, what are you talking about?

Does anyone, why does no one understand my bets? That's a good point. It's only when the Phillies are leading, and I feel like they're about to blow it, because I never have confidence in this team. Which has been justified. That's been the big sick part of my brain, is I never really trust them.

But that's why we're here. And that's why you trust them tomorrow, right? Dude, I actually have a sick amount of trust in them tomorrow. I can tell. I'm kicking my feet up right now. The main thing you led with. I come on, I'm devastated. You're like, ah, we're going to in them tomorrow. I can tell. I mean, that's like the main thing you led with. I come on, I'm like devastated. You're like, ah, we're going to be fine tomorrow.

They're fine. This is the most unexpected turn by anyone in history. Yeah, because I can only handle it for so long. It's good. They lost. They got punched in the mouth. And they're going to go out there. They're going to get to Brandon Fodd.

He's not going to do what he did last time. And we have the cold-bloodedest ass and Rangers for us in the mouth. Like, I just, it stinks. I sulked in it for a long time tonight. I didn't – I got Shake Shack. Shake Shack usually turns this whole thing around. Like, they're fine. They're fine.

Love it. 2-1-5-5-9-2-9-4-9. But that is the attitude we need to have. To the points that were made before, like, it is a really important night in the ballpark tomorrow for the fan base to show up. Like, I know it's going to be stressful, and I know if they go down, we're going. Like, I know it's going to be stressful, and I know if they go down,

we're going to be stressed, and it's going to be tight. Like, we have to do what we can to bring it tomorrow night because, you know, it can hurt this team if it's too tight in this building. Let's go back to the phones, go to Pod Sound, talk to Tommy. Hey, Tommy. Hey, guys, what's up? What up, Tommy? Yeah, not the best way to come home from work from seeing that.

I mean, starting from the frustrating at-bats and just the pitching in general, it's just never easy with this team. But you know what? With this team in mind, that's what makes them resilient. And you know what? I'm just going to make it short and easy here. To quote Rocky here, it's not about how hard you get hit. It's about how hard you get hit and keep moving forward

and how much you take to keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. That's how winning is done. You know what? It's also not only about Brighton getting punched in the face, kicked in the stomach, kicked in the nuts, stabbed in the back, whatever you want to call it. We as a team and as fans have been in this fight time and time and time again in this season. That's why we're the fight.

So we've got to go out and get what we're worth and prove to 46 God knows how many thousand fans to show what we're worth. So let's go, Phil! Let's do this! Love it, Tom. Great message there. And look, they are the Fightins. The Fightins! The Fightins! And this point was brought up earlier, but there's no way that baseball is rooting for a Rangers.

Well, so I'm not a huge conspiracy theory guy. I'll dip my toes in those waters every once in a while. I mean, you read fiction books. I do. What does that have to do with conspiracy? I mean, it seems like you like to believe in it. Yes, that's a good way to look at it. Waste your time. I

definitely think that if Major League Baseball could influence a game, they want the Phillies to win. I feel very confident about that Baseball could influence a game, they want the Phillies to win. I feel very confident about that. My dad's a big, like, everything's fixed. It's like, then every series will be seven games. Like, what are you talking about?

Yes, no, that's true. Yeah, so, by the way, I just want to point this out. Would take it. Oh, give it to me. Are you kidding me? Don't care at all. Rig it all you want. I have no intention. I mean, the Eagles won out. Would take it. Oh, give it to me. Are you kidding me? Don't care at all. Rig it all you want. I have no intention. I mean, the Eagles won a rigged game yesterday.

I mean, ten penalties to none. Are you serious? I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. Okay? It's been a tough night. I don't mean to take it out on the Eagles. They lifted this city up.

Can't believe the birds. They showed up. Although, Kelsey was here. Yeah, there was no bump from that there was no there was no eagles bump yeah that's because they were out of the people i need them in the suite in the suite yeah i agree and also like by the time they showed him it was like the six innings like all right we're cooked anyway like you know get them going early you know you know what they need tomorrow they need they need the sixers to be here to really raise the spirit

show them what losing really is like all right let's let's go to Shalvan and talk to Dave. Yo, Dave. Hey, guys. Massive fan of the podcast. You guys are awesome. Listen to you all the time. Appreciate it. Yeah, dude.

Got to bring the energy tomorrow night. I mean, I've been to multiple games. One of those idiots with the alligator hat at the game that you see on the Jumbotron. Nice. We are trying to get tickets tomorrow night i'm gonna see what i can do but uh dude i feel good about tomorrow night we've got ranger who i have two jerseys i've got our carlos suiz and i've got a ranger suarez jersey the dude is ice cold he has he has ice in his veins uh we've got Wheeler in the pen. We've got Alvarado.

We've got Hoffman. We've got the guys to do this. And we've got the experience. And we've seen fought. And we weren't patient at the plate the first time we saw him. We've got to be patient. He throws a million balls. Just got to be patient at the plate, play with confidence.

And I think we can come out with a W tomorrow night. Love it. Appreciate it. Dave, good message. And thanks for listening to the pod, play with confidence, and I think we can come out with a W tomorrow night. Love it. Appreciate it. Dave, good message, and thanks for listening to the pod, man. We really appreciate it. And, look, I appreciate that. I doubt that when I am back at work far too soon, although it'll be even more soon tomorrow night,

I doubt that everyone will be as positive as Dave, the people I talk to tomorrow. But I do appreciate it. And to Jack's point at the beginning of the show, even though tonight sucked and they didn't show up and it's hard to envision tomorrow going positive, sitting in this building looking at this field right now, we should be positive about them tomorrow. I mean, they absolutely have the pitching advantage.

They have the one guy on the hill you want on the hill the most in the biggest of spots. And they're a better baseball team. It's just will the bat show up? Fritzie, tie a bow on this for us most in the biggest of spots. And they're a better baseball team. It's just will the bat show up? Fritzie, tie a bow on this for us before we get out of here. Yeah. The bow is this. You know, this is a team that has given us a lot of special moments this year.

This is a team that we've talked about has earned our trust. They've no-showed a couple times this year. It's a series, which is incredibly disappointing. But I think when push comes to shove, and when it comes to winning time, and when it comes to this team and who they are and the makeup of them,

and a lot of the mental fortitude that we've seen them show over the last two years, coming back from seven games under.500, firing the manager, to Rob Thompson coming on this year, six games under 500. They just have fought a lot. And

I just think, the more and more we talk about it, they got absolutely humbled and embarrassed tonight by a team that was excited to be here. Tori Lavello talked before the game about how we didn't come here to get our ass kicked. Well, they didn't. They didn't.

They didn't. And credit, yeah. I just, it's a game seven. It's going to be anxiety-filled. I think this park will be ready to go tomorrow by 8 o'clock, maybe 5 o'clock, a little off. 8 o'clock, there will be plenty of time for time in the parking lot. And we got our guy on the mound.

Yep. And with Reiner Suarez on the mound, and uh with rangers wars in the mound i feel really confident we have all the horses behind him ready to go it's showtime i think they're gonna show up and uh um while i'm dreading the the possibility i'm excited for the for the game yeah me too and look uh again it's as strange as it sounds they can win the pennant tomorrow night you know that's right there in front of them still. And no one on the planet I'd rather have starting the game for the Phillies than Ranger Suarez. So I'm with you.

It's a big – biggest game – one of the biggest games in the history of the franchise tomorrow. Yay. Yay. Yay. We'll show up. We'll bring it. Fritz and I will be back on tomorrow for the pregame on from 6 to 7.30

getting you set. The vibes will be better. I believe it. I believe it. We'll get some positivity Fritz and I will be back on tomorrow for the pregame on from 6 to 7.30, getting you set. The vibes will be better. I believe it. I believe it. We'll get some positivity going. This place will be rocking. We'll get some hits. We'll get some runs, and it'll be a party.

The Phillies just need to show up and do their job, and I believe they will. Thank you to everyone who called in. We could not do the show without you. Thank you to Dan Wilson. Doing an okay job back in the studio. I expect more from Dan in the future, but I believe we get it and um again uh thank you to everyone who called in couldn't do it without you we'll be back tomorrow uh obviously Tom Kelly's coming up next he'll be taking your calls continuing to react uh until tomorrow he's Fritz I'm Seltzer we'll talk to

you guys tomorrow