High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - On The Day Luzardo Throws A Shutout, Seltzer Wonders If The Phillies Played A Game

Episode Date: September 7, 2026

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to Jesus Luzardo's dominant performance against the Braves this afternoon and give their full thoughts on the weekend series split. Presented by Miller Lite.

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

The crowd is singing high hope. I feel a little less alone. another edition of that podcast, sponsored by Miller, like official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies taste like Miller time Philadelphia celebrate responsibly. Fritzy, what, like,

they should have won three. Obviously, you know, even Friday, the, you know, three, two, Kirkland comes in, kind of, you know, gets a little way from them. But obviously, Lazzardo today. I mean, what an outing, what a season. This guy's having the best start from a Philly this season.

His best start as a Philly. the shortest Phillies game since 1989, the shortest game in Major League Baseball this year, an hour and 51 minutes. Of course, they don't do it at night when I can go to bed early, but whatever. Look, here's my main takeaway from this series was these two teams are really evenly matched, man.

Like, this was a really, like, at no point was this series any game away from anybody. Like, the most it was was the 4-1 lead that Phillies blew and the 5-2 lead the Braves won with on Friday. Like it was it was a really hard fought close series frustrating to not win it. But you know, I I never thought they were going to take division. They still can.

They got three against them and stuff. But I thought, you know, with for a Phillies team where the biggest narrative against them right now, other than, you know, just generally being concerned about the bullpen and past playoff failures is the record against good teams, is the fact that when you look at it, they've really struggled against the Braves and the Dodgers. the Brewers and all these teams. I thought they played. I thought they're like right there.

I think they're the same level as the Braves. And I think that was a good thing to see at least, you know. Yeah, so I actually disagree. I think that this Philly's team would bludgeon. They're better. I think they'll bludgeon that team in the series. I really do. I love it.

I think that was a, I think they're a sale heavy team. I mean, Chris Sale is unbelievable. The fact that he's doing what he's doing at the age. Crazy. Obviously, we talk about Zach Wheeler, right? And Zach Wheeler still, and we'll get to him, because I thought he was really, really good this weekend.

And thankfully so, it feels like he is back on track. But Chris Sale is doing this at 38, and he's hitting 99 from that arm angle. I mean, Chris Sale is always the typical or the talking point coming through the minors. And when he first got up, it was like, there's no way this guy's going to stay healthy. His arm's going to fall off. That was the line. Well, same thing with Knowles. You know, they're like, ah, no way Knowles is going to hold up going basically elbow first when he throws the baseball.

and he's been one of the most durable starters in baseball. And obviously, Sal has had his injuries. I'm not saying he's not. But he is still ridiculous. And then you look at the rest of the team. Now, Fuentes, I think, is a game changer. I know that Schwabor hit the home runoff of him. But I think, I think Fuentes is someone who can come into a middle of a

playoff series and could shut you down for three or four innings. Dylan Lee's had a good year. And then obviously, obviously, Eglacius. But, you know, you look at the lineup. and Acuna is hot as hot as fire and we'll get to the Acuna stuff because it was awesome all week and long. I mean, it was gut wrenching,

but it was also I appreciated it. It was fun. Baldwin's a good player. I hope this doesn't come back. This is one that I need to make sure it doesn't come back to bite me. I'm never going to be afraid of Matt Olson. I just, I appreciate playing every day. I appreciate the home run numbers.

He does not strike fear in me. As a hitter, he does not strike fear in me. Riley is a shell of himself, except when he plays against the Phillies, which is absurd. Grant, that's the other thing. Grant Holmes sucks. And then when he faces the Phillies, he turns into prime smaltzy. It's crazy. But what makes Saturday and blowing that game so frustrating is, I didn't, I think this

Phillies team is better. I don't say much better because I respect the Braves, but I think that they are definitively better than that Braves team. And if you get into a postseason series, I would feel pretty confident in this team's ability to beat them. Obviously, the past postseason success against them helps aid that feeling. But, man, I watched these two teams all weekend, and I know that it was tight,

and I know that it was technically a split. But I really felt like the Phillies were a better team than the Braves. And I would feel, confident heading into a postseason series against them well it's good and look the past success helps i mean they've had their number of this group and whatnot and look i i think you could quibble either way i look i think talent wise you could argue the phillies are better i mean michael harris a good player we didn't mention him yeah and and they're talented defensively they're a really good defensive team and and look acunia is a game changing type player i mean when he did it on

saturday i mean like that guy has moments and and he is um you know great fielder to i mean that that that that But that catch was unbelievable that he made, you know? And, you know, that throw early in there, maybe the best throw I've ever seen from an outfield or, you know, up there. So playoff OBS against the Phil starts with the six, Seltzer. That's that's a goon. It's what I want to hear, buddy. That's what I want to hear.

Is he a Hall of Famer? So he's on his way. I mean, I don't know if he's there yet, but he'll get in. I think if he keeps, you know, playing. He's damn good. Chris Sale, definitely a Hall of Famer. Like, lock that guy. Locking in, yeah, without a doubt.

But so, all right, let's get. get to it because I love hearing that from you and look I think of nothing else it was an encouraging weekend from from the way they played I think we could start to all kind of really get geared up for a cubs philly series because it's really really staring down the barrel of that and again division not over but um getting that home series is going to be really important I think watching the cubs in the stand and uh you know the standings day by day is going to be I think more important than watching the braves but obviously so on the table all right let's get to the weekend and kind of why you felt so good about it. I think let's start with the pitching because I mean, you know, outside of Kirkering and,

and look, Alex McFarland had been almost perfect since coming to the majors. The kids allowed to have a moment. You know, it didn't go well. I'm sorry. But, you know, outside of those moments, you know, really everyone pitched well this weekend, you know, it really was, I mean, Nola, his best start of the season, I think when you take it. And he's had some good ones. When you take into account the spot against that team didn't allow the Homer, went the seven. Wheeler, like you talked about, That's why like two or three good starts look really good. And obviously, Lazzardo, the best Philly start of the season, I think you feel really, really good about,

we were concerned about Wheeler and Sanchez and those kind of moments, Nola, Painter. I mean, the staff, you know, we'll get to the other stuff. The staff is really kind of coalescing at the right time. Yeah. Well, I mean, there was a lot of tweets after the game about how they have the best one, two, three in baseball right now. And it's like, I agree.

but if you add in four or five, it's the best starting staff of baseball as well. What with what painter and what Nola are doing? So yeah, and you know, we talked about, I think the Tucker podcast last time, just about it's always,

when you talk with the Phillies, it's like, hey, you got to face Sanchez and Wheeler in a short series. And it's never, they also have a top 10 starter in the game in Hazis Lozardo. Maybe top five right now. Like today,

maybe top five. Might be top five. And it's crazy because you say he's had the best year of any starter this year. And I agree with you. But that is a year in which Chris Sanchez has the highest war of starters. He had a 50 and two-thirds score with the three. Exactly. It had a 2.13 ERA before his first start after the All-Star break.

And Lazzardo obviously had the struggles. But I think they're 17 and 2 in his starts if you take out April. So from like May on, they've just been on an absolute heater. He's going to be like historic wise. is having one of the best seasons ever by a starting pitcher on the road. Yeah, it's unbelievable. The road numbers are, it's a sub two ERA,

the numbers are wild. It was like 186 or 176 or something on the road. It's nuts. I think it's lower than that. Is it even lower? Yeah, it's crazy. And he's like 13 and, or not 30,

it was like 12 and 1. Like he's got, not 12 and 1, but he's like, they're 13 and 1 in games. He's pitched on the road or something like that. They've been awesome. Yeah, the road stuff with Lazzardo is, is out of control.

I'm glad that he figured out the home stuff because that was getting annoying. It was, yeah. Because the home stuff obviously more important. Yeah, so he's got a 1.76 on the road. Oh, there you go. With, uh, with, with nine wins. So he, so he's nine and, he's nine and no on the road. I think the status would be the first to be 10 and oh on the road or,

or something along those lines. I'm sure that I'm sure Tucker's like. Look, yeah, as fast as possible. But yeah, no, uh, Lazzardo has been, uh, Lazardo has been incredible. So yeah. So I think the biggest thing that's giving me confidence. is what those starting staff or what that starting staff can do in a postseason series.

And obviously, maybe Painter goes to the bullpen. It could be like a bit of an X factor out there as well. But, you know, with the way that those guys are pitching right now, it just changes everything. It just changes everything for this team. And I know because one of the takes from this weekend that I think is totally fair is, only offense didn't really do much. And I agree. But also, it's post season baseball.

Like, you're just, you're not going to have. Very rarely will you have a 7-1 one. There'll be one or two in a series or whatever, but they're going to be tight games. So my hope is that if the starting staff does what the starting staff does, which is hold a team to two runs or less, like the offense doesn't have to be world beaters. They just have to do enough. And I think that they can do enough. I actually thought they hung in there pretty well against sale, all things considering. I mean, they had what, eight hits.

They had two runs. It was. Unarned, but we'll take him. Well, well, let's run. Runs in the book. So, so. I think the way the starting to have is going, I do think McFarlane's fine. The seven straight fastballs to Acuna with which Cotham took complete ownership of today before the game.

He was calling it. That's what they wanted. The numbers against it. I guess Acuna is hitting 149 against high fastballs this year or or just a fastball or high in the zone this year. My, my quip is, hey, I don't think you get a feel for his slider and that's why he had runners on. but just throw it and make sure it's out of the zone to change something up. You know, I'm perfectly fine. I don't care what the numbers are.

If you keep throwing him that pitch, he's going to get a beat on it. And I'm sure if you're Caleb Cotham, you're not thinking it's going seven, the bat's going seven pitches deep and you're still calling it. You know, like I understand heading into an abat thinking you're going to punish him with fastballs. Totally fine. But they didn't change eye levels. And you got to just throw it out of the zone.

anything else to get him off of it just a little bit so you know that was frustrating but i'm not letting that throw me off the scent for how good i think alex mcfarlane has been for this team the bowling thing is a little concerning but i also think that he's just been pitching a lot and this is first time being a real full-time and a high-leverage guy like not just full like he's he's gone from being like a you know back of the bullpen type guy to to to pitching in the eighth inning and one you know and big games it takes it takes a it takes a little bit to get used to that stuff um and i hope that in the post He's going to be ready for it. He's had some big moments as a reliever for this team.

So really it's just the way the starting staff is going and knowing what postseason baseball is, which is a lot like what this weekend was, I think if you get them into the series with the way they're pitching right now, they can beat anyone. Not guaranteeing they're going to win the world series, not feeling like they're going on the world series. I really just want a series win and some positivity. A bit of a red October would be nice. Just a bit of a red October.

I want to feel it again. I want to go through it again. I want to do our stupid video or screaming into it. We're saying we're going to the NLCS or something. That's all I want. I want something as dumb as that. And the way that these guys are pitching right now is, is otherworldly.

And the fact that you had the best one, two, three punch in baseball and you're adding what this is the best NOL has looked in. By far since years, years. It's been years. It's legitimately been years. Like he's had moments. And it's been like a couple months now. Like it's not just like two or three starts in a row.

Like this has been a, it's not, you know, a huge sample size, but it's a sample size. Dude, it's gone from dreading his starts to expect him to pitch well. I trust. When he takes the hill, I expect like, you know, five to six. And we got seven, but five to six headings to two rounds.

I mean, I expect every time now. I know. It's crazy. The life's back on all of his pitches. He's staying on top of the curveball. Stubby has to start game four. We're going to have to get a. Hey, got to do what you got to do, right?

Got to do what you get. Now, Donnie. Three catchers. Then you can make those moves, right? You know, that's the whole point. Now, Donnie. When he gets taken out of the game, let's get JT in there. Okay?

But listen, you simply are probably going to have to start carrot stubs in one of these games. Although, listen, Real Muted did catch him out in Iowa and he pitched a good game. So they probably won't do it. But regardless, I mean, when he's missing, he's missing up out of the zone. He's dotting the corners. He's totally founded. Life's back on his pitches. What a treat.

What a treat and a cherry on top for what is a great staff is this current version. of Aaron Nola. Yeah, and asking for the future, too. I mean, just the fact that we don't look, it's still not a good contract, you know, obviously, but the fact that we don't look at it right this second and say it's one of the worst in the sport, you know, is, is exciting. And it might go bad again, but just the fact that we don't feel this, this sense of hopelessness with it, I think is awesome. And your point about the pitching, I totally agree. McFarlane, I'm not concerned neither. I think it's going to be fasting to see him in bigger spots. They're going to need him. He is, you know, he has the best stuff in the pen outside Duran, like full stop.

So, and I think he's got it. The question is, you know, look, that was a leverage spot for him. And he's been in others and be good. And this one didn't work out. We're going to have to see as it gets closer to the playoffs and how they use him. And also like innings and, you know, he's first time in the majors. There's a lot of like variables with him. But he obviously has the chance to be someone who can make a real difference for the team. before we get to the rest of the bullpen and the bats quickly because you mentioned a cunia before we move on for it's probably the biggest moment or story from the weekend um i had no problem with it honestly i didn't like you know i hated it i hated it i was watching i was like i hate you but you know what dude like good for you like he he did it he hit it like i think it's sports and fun you know i thought it was kitsy to do the the you know curtain call thing like you know he he hit the homer he did it good for you man like i i I don't know what else to say. You know, I, I, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if we were thrown in him,

someone, or, you know, something that happened after, I would have been okay with it. Like, it's baseball, whatever, but, like, I don't love that, but I would have been, but I had no problem with him. I loved it from every angle. I really did. I loved Wheeler getting mad about it. You do. Me too.

I love Wheeler saying that our guy is hits 50 in rounds of bases. Amazing. There is, like, like, I, I've been on Twitter a long time. I've been on, on social media, on Twitter for a long time. There is no. There's no single, like, dumber fan base than the Braves fans. Oh, my God, it's unbelievable. They're, they're so dumb.

I remember, remember that whole mascot thing. Well, that, but do you remember the, do you remember when Bomed and Dutch home plate? Oh, yeah, of course. Dude, they made that joke for two years after that. And it's like, you are such a bad sports town. It's not even funny. Still making Bomed in touch the plate jokes. So seeing them in their feelings all weekend long,

about, you know, Wheeler and Argan, like, oh, well, you still talk about the bat spike, you know, and talking about your guy hits 50 and rounds the bases. We do talk about the bat spike. So, yeah, it was one of the best moments in the, in the city's history. Yeah. So anytime you can really just irk Braves Twitter, it's a win and just seeing them just so frustrated all weekend long doing doing social media like it was in like 2014. That is, that is how the Braves fans on Twitter handle everything.

just the dumbest fan base. But, like I liked Wheeler getting irked by it. It felt, the whole thing felt personal, which I want, I want the history. Remember that thing with that?

Yeah, yeah, exactly. He's done it to him before. And, and, you know, did the,

did his Acuna thing. I, I loved it from Acuna playing into it. I want guys to play into it. I, now, it was it,

3-0 to make it 3-1? not my personal favorite time to do it, but the one he hit off of McFarland after everything that was going on and then reacting the way that he did and the curtain call, I thought was awesome. I thought it added theater. I thought that it added drama. I thought the crowd was extra into it whenever he came up.

And it got me pretty juiced up for a Phil's Braves postseason series. I know he's been out there, but I feel we haven't gotten the full. Well, yeah, yeah, we haven't. He's never been a postseason villain for us. It's been, It's been freaking R-C. He's been helping us.

He's been not chasing after the JT ball, and he's getting given us inside the partners. Like, he hasn't, you're right. He's been the opposite. Yeah. So I love that it added to the rivalry.

I love that there was some good old fashion sports hate. Yeah. It was, it was good vibes all around. It was good vibes all around. I like the ballpark had a little, you know, junegriness to it. Oh, man.

That was beautiful. It was beautiful. Thankfully, thankfully they won two or three. So I, or thankfully they split. So I don't have to come. on and say that after they lost three or four.

Totally. Hey, Ontario, come on down to BetmGM Casino and see what our newest exclusive the Price's Right Fortune Pick has to offer. Don't miss out. Play exciting casino games based on the iconic game show only at BetMGM. Check out how we've reimagined three of the show's iconic games, like Plinko, Clifhanger, and the Big Wheel into fun casino game features. Don't forget to download the BenMGM Casino app for exclusive access and excitement

on the Price's right fortune pick. Pull up a seat and experience the prices right fortune pick only available at BetMGMGM Casino. BetMGM and GameSense remind you to play responsibly. 19 plus to wager. Ontario only.

Please play responsibly. If you have questions or concerns about your gambling or someone close to you, please contact Connects Ontario at 1866-531-2,600, to speak to an advisor, free of charge. BetMGM operates pursuant to an operating

agreement with i gaming ontario totally and look what a what a weekend at the ballpark it feels like finally you know july fourth stung the uh i feel like memorial day was rainy like weekend was perfect what a one a weekend to be down there all right you said our guy uh hits 50 and you know the great wheeler thing i do think uh schwarber this weekend and look he's you know kind of been up and down a bit over the second half of the season down for a while but to your point i think seeing what we saw from him today, what he did, you know, yesterday, obviously they, you know, they blew it, but him bringing the power back. Like, that's what they need.

They need some big hits and big spots in the playoffs. They need Kyle Schwerver to hit a big home run and the pitching can win it. But they need, they need Schwerber to be Schwerver. And this weekend he was like, I mean, that Homer today was massive at the one that only run, you know, but I, the Schwerver thing was encouraging. It starts to feel, it's starting to feel like the power's coming back. Yeah, I mean, it's home runs in three or four games today. Massive.

And yeah, and the one, I mean, like yesterday, that was like a. Oh, yeah. Laser, like, like off the facade, like, boom. Like, that was a shot, dude. Yeah, no. And let me just say this. He is going to go on a run because I have been eliminated from my biggest fantasy league. And I traded for him at the deadline.

And he did squat until the last. last two games of the, of the season. So now he's going to go on an unbelievable heater. And I'm actually going to be furious at every single one of them because I've watched him crater my season, but not to make it about me. That home run he hit today, 100 miles an hour. And Rube called it he could put a bat on a bullet, which I thought was a, which I thought was a great line because he can't.

A hundred miles an hour and he didn't miss it. So huge moment, he's had now two huge moments in the last. what two weeks. So, you know, him racking and him kind of building on those. And yeah, I mean, the power had to come back. It had been a prolonged stretch of spurts, but also not much consistency and a lot of strikeouts. And when you talk about where the offense is at right now, they are still mostly taking

their walks early in the game. They certainly were. And they're getting some base runners. It's still, there's a lot of now singles hitters. You know, there's a lot of, you know, the arises. I mean, Brandon Marsh is on a really down, like, extra base hit run. I mean, he has had four extra base hits since August 1st. Wow.

Really? Yes, yes, yes. He's at one since August 13th. Holy God. So he's a-Denny Homer in the field dream game? Was it that? Was that the one? Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And then you get to Crawford is just a singles hitter They need some guys They can put the ball to the ballpark

And has them thump and obviously it's Schwerber But everyone always does this thing Where it's like Here's an example of how they're not going to hit in the postseason Breaking news They're probably not going to hit in the post season I don't know what to tell you They're not going to go on some round

Where they're going to score 10 plus a game They just need to have moments They don't need to be a great offense to win in October. You want them to be a great offense. It's really just hitting a timely home run, being good with the wrongs of scoring position, and doing the little things well if you just can let this pitching staff do their thing. So every single time they lose, they don't score well. It's like, that's how it's going to go in October.

It's like, yeah, maybe. But like baseball is also baseball. And you know that every single game, something little happens that either win. or loses the game, but I would bet on this starting staff more often than I would. And look, and I know it's not the, you know, the big guys have to play well and win and have their moments. But we've talked about this, but I do think this team with guys like Derek Hill, who, again, fourth pinch hit home run. It's crazy. I'm like, I don't remember the last time I Philly had four pinch hit home runs. Like that's, you know, it's been a long time. That's a lot of, and, and Sosa has

had, you know, the pinch of grand sam in moments like that, I mean, I mean, Derek Hill, I think he's, like, batten, like, he's got not just the homers, but his average is a pin-shitter's great. Like, you know, he's a, having these guys, again, who you believe can have moments, who are not just Kyle Schwerver and Bryce Harper or whatever, you know, that's huge. Like, and again, it might not play out that way. They might not have any moments, but I do have a lot more faith in guys like Derek Hill than I did in all those other guys to create a moment like that,

both offensively and defensively. So I do think that, you know, again, to your point, you get it. They're probably not going to hit great and all that. But like, I do think they are better set up. Yeah. Then like, you know, last year. Well, they're deeper. I mean, they're, they're definitely deeper.

Especially like with what Bome's doing. I mean, Bome had a really good, uh, series and a good night against, against, uh, Crissale. Stoddars slowed it down a little bit. Congratulations to baby number three for Stoddarder. Yeah, you two are like on the same path. He's trying to keep up with me. It's pretty ridiculous.

Um, but yeah. And, and, and, oh, nice, hit the computer. The, uh, Derek, I, I had, like, full faith that Imundo was going to come through yesterday. I did too, dude. I did too, which is, he didn't, but it was cool to feel faith in that spot, you know? I, I really thought he was going to come through. I thought a single at worst, you know? At worst.

And then even Brian the Lekruz usually puts together a pretty good, bad. And he did it hard, you know, I just hit to the wrong spot. Yeah, that sounds. That's up. That I really thought they were going to win that guy. I have, yeah. Yeah. All right, let's get to the pen.

The McFarron thing we've talked about, we aren't too concerned. Look, finally, Mattingly, after the game on Friday, said I may have to address where I pitch, or Ryan Kirkering, like, good. 20 from games left. You finally got there what I thought. He can't be in leverage spots, certainly not big leverage spots in the playoffs. He just doesn't have it in those moments. Where are you at with the pen in general?

You know, the McFron thing we talked about, but outside of that, Yeah. You know, I think it's, we, you know, hitting the playoffs or not, the bullpen is still my biggest concern how to get the playoffs. I'm just begging for them to trade Kirkland. It's all season. I can't do it anymore. I just, I'm sure other team, like some small market team, we'll see the value in him. Yeah, he's cheap.

Just come on. I don't want to do it anymore. I don't want to do it. So the bullpen is the biggest, like, I would love to sit on here and say like, here we go. They're going to win the World Series. I feel it. I feel it. I feel it in every aspect, even the offense.

I do still feel it with the offense because I think that they can put together, like we just talked about, they can put together some runs if they need to. Well, not they need to, but I think they can put together some runs. Yeah, we agree. Feel great about the starting staff. It's just, I have such a,

and I say every year, no one believes in her bullpen until you're having a parade down whatever city you're in. But this is different. I just, I don't, I don't see how they can make. it through an entire postseason with this bullpen. I really don't. I mean, I think McFarlane is solid and I think that he's gonna, he raises the floor for the bullpen and I think he could be a weapon. I think bone's gonna be fine. Obviously, Duran, I still feel good about, it's just everyone else. I mean, really it doesn't seem like they're they want him in leverage spots.

So weird. Like they're still going to Alvarado. It's so strange. I and and really's been pretty solid here. It's, you know, not that he ever pitches, but he's always solid. He's always solid picture. It's so strange. So they're continuing to go down the Alvarado well. And I understand he had the clean eighth semi in the, what was that Saturday night where it was a four two game. Four two game and Alv is coming in and the first base runner immediately gets a hit. Our first hitter immediately gets a hit. We're like, oh, here we go. And then a double play. Now, listen, Banks, he's working his way back. So maybe that saves the pen a little bit.

But yeah, I just, I don't know how you're going to make it through our postseason with where these guys are at. Now, we've talked about Painter, but again, I don't think he is going to be an eighth inning guy. I think he's going to be a sixth or seventh inning guy, like once in a post-season series. Yeah, yeah, and certainly not back-to-back days, anything like that type of stuff. Yeah. Because they still want to protect that arm. It's why.

He's never done it. He's never done it. You know, like, yeah. Yeah. It's why if they just would put gauge in the bullpen, it would really help them this year. It would really help them. And if they decide on that earlier than like now.

But dude, if you put a gauge in there, he's like what Fuentes looks like now. Like, Fuentes, the Braves can give you two or three innings where he's throwing 100 and ripping off these high spin sliders. I mean, that's what a gauge can be. And I understand that you'd be worried about cutting off his, his development. But you are in a World Series window. You are trying to win it.

And there's like no doubt in my mind that he would help this bullpen immensely. And I would put him in spots over Kirkering tomorrow. So the frustrating part and the tough part about looking at this bullpen is that you just know that some of these games are going to come down to whether or not Kirkering or Alvarado can do their job. and I don't have faith that either one of them is going to be able to do their job. And that's not been getting to Boland's first postseason experience and McFarland's first postseason experience, you know? So, man, it just gives me, it gives me so much cause for pause this current Phillies bullpen with the idea of them possibly carrying them through an entire October. Yeah, it's my biggest concern. and, you know, look, stranger things have happened.

You know, teams have gone on runs with, I mean, that Rangers team, I know we bring it up, but that 2023 team, I mean, they did a horrible bullpen. I mean, they basically had the clerk pitching like every single night in that run. You know, that was like the only guy they could count on at all. They had another guy. They might have another guy. And they had the Evaldi who could come out of the pet and do stuff. But like, that my point being that like, I mean, look, even the 22 Phillies came pretty damn close to winning the World Series with.

like two good relievers and Zach Eflin you know so like you can do it it just it's this team isn't there's already all these spots where there's you know potential for for things to go bad it's just you're you're raising the mark you know raising the margin of error in a in a way where it just makes it harder to like you said to win four street series but it is definitely possible like it is you know it's just at the lefty outs of the part that's going to be that that you know the big like Freddie Freeman or Otani or whoever you want to say coming up in October, in a big spot late in a game and you're like, are we going to Alvarado here?

Like really? Like that, that's where you, and I'd rather really, but you get that, that's going to be the biggest spots where you're like, okay. Yeah,

you know, hold on to your butts. Hold on your butts. Exactly. Well, especially because it was like, well, maybe they could bring Lazardo out the bullpen.

It's like, well, he's going to be your freaking guy now too. And I do think he is the kind of guy who, and we saw it, you know, where he gave them what? an inning or two in the Dodgers game

after pitching a couple days earlier. I do think he's got the kind of arm. He works quick. Like he's like I could see it, but I mean you can't like they can't count on that. That's like you have to do it. You have to do it. You know? Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, I have a very, very hard time believing it. Yeah. All right. Let's get

to, oh, that's my guy right there. All right, let's get to a take bag in just a sec. But Jack, you probably know because we've talked about it. Did you know one and three people regularly suffer from nausea? And my wife, family is one of those people. It's been a real problem in our lives. Every time we go anywhere, my wife is deathly ill, like green.

Our head is between her legs. A car rides and adventure and pain tolerance. The idea of having a conversation enjoying the car ride, it's like far enough, not existent. Trains, boats, like forget about it. A cruise is not even a possibility. Like, it never even considered it. Until relief then came into our lives, it's completely changed our lives. For us, it's been an absolute miracle.

Emily is completely fine now on any car rides. We drove to pick up Zoe yesterday out in the burbs from my mom's house. We're listening to music. We're chatting it up. We're talking movies. We're listening to the Phillies game. It was unbelievable. I got to enjoy a car ride that never, ever happens.

It has been an absolute miracle for us. Emily is completely fine. Now we're talking to each other. Zero discomfort. And it's open up a whole new world of possibilities for us. Relief band is 100% natural, no pills, no side effects. And it works in just minutes. Relief band stops nausea from motion sickness, morning sickness.

from meds like GLP ones even stops nausea from hangovers fritzie how about that it's it's a beautiful thing put relief in on your wrist and turn nausea off go to relief ban dot com and use promo code james that's j a m yes for 20 percent off relief pin dot com promo code james all right fritz yeah by way uh josh spores pitched a ton for that team and then i forgot they put uh they put john gray in the bullpen and john gray was oh wow yeah there you go see was ridiculous for them also did not remember. Oh, yeah. So they traded Cole Ragons at the deadline. And then Cole Racken turned into it. Yeah. Well, they won a World Series at least. Eh, less than flags fly forever. That's what that one says. That's what everyone says. But yeah,

no. The bullpen has given me a lot of stress. All right. Um, yeah, I mean, I don't really have anything else that we haven't really touched, uh, you know, already. I will say it is pretty crazy how good that Lazzardo sweeper is. Oh, my God. It is, it is, it looks like a fastball the entire time. And then it just darts. And the fact that he can throw it as hard, like, it's very rare, I guess.

I feel like I'm so used to right. He's just being able to rip off these like 3,000 RPM sliders. It's very odd looking at a lefty, but he legitimately looks like he's throwing wiffle balls up there. I mean, it's just, it's, it's such a good pitch. It's such a good pitch. and the command of the confidence that he has in throwing it now. He can throw it back foot the guys.

He can just get over for a strike. It's real weapon. And it's one of the best pitches in baseball. I mean, that and the Sanchez changeup. Yeah. Two of the best. And he's,

and he's, I said it before. He's effortless out there. Like, Lazardo, the speed, the velocity looks effortless. The way he works,

he's so fast. He just gets it and he guns it. And it just feels so easy for him. Yeah. Yeah. I thought Wheeler pitched really well. It's not, he doesn't look like prime Wheeler. I would say this looks like 85% of Zach.

I want to say like around there. It's not, it's not 100%. It was good to see at least the fastball had that rise to it that you're used to, even though it was like 96 rather than like 97, 98, which he hasn't been for a couple years and that's fine. Because we've seen great stretches with him throwing 96. But it was good at least see the rise back on that pitch. it wasn't perfect.

I still think he's like their third best starter clearly behind Sanchez and Lazzardo. But it was definitely a step in the right direction. Sanchez was disappointing because I thought he was actually good. It was just he had the bad inning. And it really, it's kind of snowballed on him.

But after that, he looked like Chris Sanchez. It actually looks like he got a little pissed, which I appreciate. You know, he never really, he shows emotion. Yeah, but yeah, but you're right.

He doesn't show anger, really. Yeah. He'll show like excitement a bit. but otherwise he's pretty stung. Yeah, I think when Wheeler, Wheeler a couple starts ago showed anger in like the first inning against the angels,

I think, and then looked like Wheeler. So sometimes you need that. Sometimes you need a little bit of a kick in the pants a little bit. So, again, it's annoying he allowed the runs early, but I do not sit here thinking,

here comes a downturn for Sanchez. I thought after that he was good. So yeah, starring staff, pretty money. Nola being able to adopt both sides of the plate, be able to go up and out. And when he goes up, not getting blasted.

Yeah. No Homer, bad. No Homer's giving up. How about it? Well, not our guy. Not our guy. All right. So, quick little minor league minute for you.

How about Aidan? He's back. Finally. I get we should have let the pod. That's a bad job by me. I'm bad job. Like, horrible. Thank God.

Like, what a beautiful thing to happen. We could have gone the whole year. We were so close, nothing. and just like, ah, positive signs, buddy, positive signs. Yeah, and then he got out there and smoked the first double, 109 miles an hour, which is beautiful. Looks, looks, I mean, I think Luke Merton said that this is the best he's moved. He's seen a move, which is encouraging, given that people thought he was going to be playing

in a wheelchair for the rest of his career. Crazy. He's got 60 steals last year, too, you know what I mean? It's like, yeah, yeah, yeah. Again, the stolen base thing, the last two seasons just totally fraudulent. Totally. Well, even back to 23. I mean, Acuna had 70 some.

You know, he had a 40-70 year. It is funny. We're talking about Pete Crow Armstrong and how PCA has been great. Acuna put 41 and 73 on board. I know. I know. Playing also great defense in the outfield. Oh, I know.

So whatever. PCA is still great, though. And I hope he wins MVP. He will. He will. Yeah. So Aiden's back, which is huge. and the fact that he's moving around really well.

I think he's going to go to the Arizona Fall League, which is good. And then hopefully start next year and have a chance. It'd be really interesting to see what they do. Obviously, I think Bome's going to walk. I think Bones going to walk. I don't care what this little streak is doing. It is so annoying.

You can clearly see him lowering his hands and like finally. It's so unbranded. Doing what we've asked him to do. And of course, he's going to walk. walk now and maybe he's found something. But if he goes to the AFL and then he's done for a little bit and then ready for spring training, I wonder if they would, maybe they signed some stop gap third baseman. That would be my guess. And then one year deal, one year deal for a guy and then if Hayden's ready halfway through and, you know, anything like that. That would be my guess.

It'd be a pretty big bet, you know. It'd be a pretty big bet on the guy. Well, the other, well, the other interesting angle on this is the arise part, right? Like if they do they want to, if they like I could definitely see them resigning arise and then just do they want to put Stott at third? Do they move Trey the outfield? Like there's a sort of short like there's all kinds of like ways this could play out. There's a ton. There's a ton.

There's also do they move off of Marsh and did they finally give it in an outfield glove? Yeah. Or Trey. Or Trey. Yeah. Or Trey. So, but the fact that we're even having this conversation is exciting.

And the fact that he's. back is huge our guy um and all of a sudden they have like they could have like six major league caliber short stops in the system they have they have aden spangler wan v uh Juan paura and Matthew Ferrar like Matthew Ferrar is a sick defense shortstop but like and I don't need to go too far with him but that's not even talking about Reese Moroni who hit uh 529 this week and is a he is a bat to ball artist I love him. I love him. I don't know if he's ever going to start for this team, but he's going to be a valuable role player at some point for this ball club. So there's a lot of big league galloper players

in the shortstop class for where they are currently at. But Aiden being back as huge Spangler hit his first home run. Nice little opposite field shot. So he needed that. It's been a listen, I'm not, he hasn't faced live pitching since last fall and has been dealing with a little bit of a back injury. Like I'll give him a little bit of a grace as an 18 year old in that situation. And then Gage, they put him back out there for the fifth, but I don't know if he should have been back out there. He threw four innings

and struck out 10. Whoa. Hey now. That's what I'm saying, dude. That's what I'm saying. If they just put him in the bullpen for this, he'd be up here tomorrow. He would be better than Kirkcoring tomorrow. So, man, I wish they would just do it. I know he's getting, oh, he's getting

close to or way above his pitching limit or innings limit, but man, we're trying to win. We're trying to win. Yeah. What you got to do, man? He kidding me. This is a older group that is in the middle of this thing. Like, you got to go for it. Yeah. Now, I forgot to mention this earlier, but it looks like Killian started to throw again our other big trade deadline acquisition. Yeah. I thought he was just done for the year. So the possibility comes back. Yeah. It was a, um, oblique. Yeah. Oblique. Oh, nice. Nice. Clear yourself out of

little bit. Yeah, it's great. Good times. Yeah. But yeah, so that's pretty much it. And I, and I, I, I, I have had a, a thought on the, on the system that I want to lay out for people. Oh, please. Please. Just feels like it's in a pretty healthy spot. Like, you have three, three guys up and contributing to the major league roster, um, in McFarland and Painter and Crawford. And then you start looking, you know, underneath a little bit, the Rincones season,

like I just mentioned, Vian Vincencio, who is turned into, like, he was rated by baseball America is having, like, the best tools in the Florida State League

when he was there, which is, which is encouraging. Yeah, it's very good at developing pitching. You know, I feel like a lot of these guys that they're getting closer,

or they're getting closer or they're progressing. You know, like Cortez, we've talked about on this podcast. He's continuing to look like a really interesting relief prospect to go along with Pond. Like,

I just overall, overall, it feels like the system is getting into a pretty healthy spot. And I think that there's going to be like four top 100 guys, I think, once like next year. I just, there's a lot of progression. The hitting feels like it's getting in a pretty good spot. The pitching has always been in a good spot. I don't know. I just, you look at how things are kind of breaking for them in the system with what's last

draft class was. Francisco Renssela really didn't mention it was the MVP. of the Dominican Summer League. So he's on his way to being a top 100 guy, and he's going to be a top 50 guy eventually, top 30, top 20. I mean, he's on a rocket ship. And they're only figuring it out even more in their international game. Like there's going to be more coming with the international classes

that are very, very exciting. So I have a lot more hope for the 2030s than I think that we have. two months ago. I love that. When it looked like planter was a bust and Crawford and, and now you look up and they have three guys that are contributing to a team that could win the division, but it's probably going to win at least 90 plus games. Yeah.

No, you're right. It really, in a couple months, it's turned in a big way. And it's huge. It's huge. And we believe in those guys. And I said last, but I mean, I think that the Latin American thing, the infrastructure, they've built up the, you know, money they're spending, the effort they're putting into that is one of the most important things in the organization.

So it's huge. Yep, I agree. It's in a good spot. And we only have one week left of Thresher's baseball. And we only have, I think, two weeks left of Redding. And then September 20th is the last day for the Iron Pigs. We'd love to see Aiden go from Redding to Bihive Valley to closes out. That would be a fun little way to end the minor league season.

Love it. Love it. I'm sorry that the season is ending. But, you know, playoff baseball. Oh, we'll get through it. Well, we're going to have a lot of minor league minutes next year. Oh, buddy. Yeah, it's going to be the carrying the pod.

I love it. All right. We'll be back. So it's Astros, right? Astros coming up next year. All right. So it's a big series. Yeah, two or three.

Two or three. Yeah. Okay. All right. All right. We'll be back Thursday. It's a three gamer, right? Not four.

Three gamer. We back on Thursday to react to it. Friday. Or Friday, but back on Friday. Well, because, hold on, today is Monday. Yes. It's a Tuesday, Oh.

Oh, wait, so no. Yeah. Oh, they don't play today? They're off today? Oh, no, they played the Braves. Ah, excuse me, I'm an idiot. Yep, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Did you just say, did they play today?

I'm an idiot. All right. I meant, yeah, tonight. I got thrown off. Yeah, all right, we're done. It's a beautiful job. That sounds a good title. Wait in the pod.

Did they play today? It's perfect. All right. So I guess we'll be back Friday. Sweet. Love a good Friday, pod. All right. Until then, he's birds themselves.