High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Our Pets Heads are Falling Off

Episode Date: April 6, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies 1-5 start, preview the home opener, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes! It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies. On Odyssey and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo, it is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. We're still calling it that, huh? Not for long, buddy. We're in calling it that, huh? Not for long, buddy. We're in dangerous

territory. Now, to be fair, when we lasted six years with that name, I guess times have been worse. Times have been worse. Which has been worse, alright? Six years or six games? Because I tell you what, not the hottest start, alright?

Not the hottest start. Yeah, the opposite. The coldest start, my friend. Not the hottest start. Yeah, the opposite. The coldest start, my friend. No, it's just like, why? Right? Like, I have no other, like, real statistical analysis pretty much at the moment other than, like, why? Why did you have to do this? Like, they're supposed to be coming home at, like, you know, back to the bank.

And they're supposed to be, home at like, you know, back to the bank. And they're supposed to be like a sea of red. A sea of red. They're supposed to walk down like, you know, from center field onto the field. Dan Baker is supposed to announce Trey Turner and we all lose our collective minds. I mean, they're raising a pennant flag. They're raising a pennant flag. And it was supposed to be the culmination where we get to say how much we love you. Right?

This is supposed to be, okay, thank you so much for what you did last year and reinvigorating us with baseball in Philadelphia. Thank you so much. And all they have done is just slammed it down just slam slam slam that's all they've done they've just slammed it right like don't don't it's like oh my god like i i wouldn't boo them but like i there's there probably there will be booze there will be booze there probably will be booze and i i wouldn't boo me either but But, man, what a frustrating way to start the season. Who would have thought, you know, with the high hopes thing,

in the week where Jim Nance actually resigns, this happens. Yeah, well, so I guess he just, like. Resigned from college basketball. Yeah. You know, close enough. That's it. Hey, listen. But is it more of a resigning or a retiring?

You know, it's a good point. it's a good point It's a good point It's the closest we've gotten to you not being an idiot Alright I'm trying to help you out here Come on Well I'm always an idiot Especially in my lack of sleep How you feeling I'm good

Do you feel dumber still No I think my brain is adjusted I feel pretty good about, I'm good. I'm great. Do you feel dumber still? No, I think my brain is adjusted. Okay, good. I feel pretty good about it. You were dumb that one. No, I was dumb. I couldn't string together two sentences.

It wasn't your best. Dude, I was like, I felt stupid. Yeah. And I don't know. Well, I often feel stupid, but I can usually string sentences together. But then the films are at one and-5, and, you know, I was able to— And an ugly 1-5. Yeah. And here's the frustrating thing, because I want to, you know, we know.

We do the marathon thing and all the cliches and all that, because they're true. It's a crazy long season. We're six games into 162. Like, I don't want to—I'm not panicking, but I don't want to be as concerned as I am, Jack. But I look at this lineup. I look at the injuries. Derek Holt, they brought Cody Clemens up. He's going to be out for at least a little bit of time.

He's going on the IL. I'm concerned now. I'm not panicking, but we're going to have Jake Cave batting fifth. Josh Harrison is going to be a massive part of this lineup. Cody Clemens could be playing first base, Jack! Cody Clemens! It's all... Legitimately, it is the most

my Philly sports fandom has felt like the dumb and dumber our pet's heads are falling off. You know what I mean? It's the closest we've come where it's like, everyone's injured. They're not playing well. They look tired.

They look hungover. Reese is hurt. Harper's coming back. Her pet's heads are falling off. It's really a good outcome. It's the most. It has really felt like this. And it's like I just hate, I just hate that it's April.

Like it's April. It's April 6th, Jack. And we feel this way. Like, it's April. It's April 6th, Jack. And we feel this way. It's not just April. It's April 6th. We're not even at the end of April feeling this way. And I am not in the mindset of season's over. I am not in any of that.

And I don't think anyone should be because, like, I still think the message is still a message. But it's like, at this point, do we have to change our expectations? I mean, they played a frustrating brand of baseball. We understand that. But at the same time, it's not all of their fault. I mean, there has been a ton of injuries. Oh, absolutely.

The injuries are my biggest concern. Marsh being out now, hopefully Marsh is fine. Hopefully Marsh is fine. But the fact that that's what we're clinging to, and he's our ninth hitter, and he's our 9th. Yeah. And he's been good. And I think he's had a good step forward.

But now Hall's out for a little bit. I think Cody Clemens can't play. So awesome. Great. I'm glad we called up Cody Clemens. Whatever. And then it comes down to everything else we've already had. Ranger seems like he's on his way back,

but he still has to go in the minor leagues. He has to come up through the minors again. Painter we'll see. Harper seems like he's on his way back, but he still has to go in the minor leagues. He has to come up through the minors again. Painter, we'll see. Harper, it seems like he's on a path here. Harper is his own thing. He's all by himself as the one shining light of healing and of all this. If he comes back and saves the season,

build a stash. It just has that early feel of a lot of stuff is piling up on them, and it's not all their fault. We talked about it last podcast, but you're putting what was once billed as great depth into big roles. I love Edmundo Sosa.

We all love Edmundo Sosa. Edmundo Sosa is starting every day now. Yeah, no doubt. And would you have wanted Eric Bruntlett starting every day on the O.A. Phillies? No, absolutely not and hopefully he can show some of the power that we saw in spring training and be like, okay, this is stabilizing

now it's like Alec Boehm has to be actually an all-star he has to be like your three-hitter or whatever and you look at everyone that has to step up and then you've seen what Nick Castellanos has done so far this year. And it's like,

well, I don't think I, I obviously can't count on that. Like I can't count on him bouncing back. You would be crazy. Look, we were all bullish. We said all the things we said after whatever,

six games, like you, it would, you would be an idiot to say you still believe in Cassidy. He might bounce back. Like, it's possible. But to watch what we've watched, and obviously after the first two games, for him to look exactly the same as he did last year.

Well, he doesn't chase as much. Dude. Doesn't chase as much. Like, man. And also, you're seeing the frustration already. Like, he's getting annoyed, and he's getting frustrated with the strike zone calls. He's yelling at the umpire. Right?

And, like, look, I like fire fire i like feistiness and stuff but with that dude like we know how he can kind of get in his head and kind of you know start to spiral and it feels like he's spiraling already like i am again you said this on the last pod and it hit me hard because this this this was after the first three and we weren't you know really tumbling down you were like i'm more concerned about the line than the pitching. And everyone else was like, pitching, pitching, pitching, Wheeler, Nola, whatever. You were dead right.

And now the injury's piling up. Like, man, I'm concerned about scoring runs with this team. Like, outside of, obviously, Schwerber and Turner at the top, JT, and then Bowman, Stott. And, again, like, you know, Stott's been great to start the year. But that's, like, that's it Stott's been great to start the year, but that's like, that's it. Like, that's literally it. Well, they've lost the guys that you can just trust.

Like, how many guys in the lineup do you 100% trust when they're up right now? I just named them. Yeah, that's pretty much it. It's four? It's four and Stott. And hopefully Marsh continues to develop. Sure, I'm learning to trust him more,

but it's not like I'm like, oh, Marsh is definitely coming through for me. But again, we headed into the year with the whole. With the whole lineup. We're like, where's the hole? Find the hole in the lineup. Like, find the easy out. Bring back Franco.

Bring back Franco. He could be the eight-hole hitter, the best eight-hole hitter in the history of baseball. So the offense, my one, obviously this is contingent on Hall being mostly fine and Brandon Marsh not missing time. The one thing I'll say about the lineup that is giving me a little bit of hope is that for the first five games, they went 12, 9, 9, 11, 10? The amount of hits. So, like, I believe that, you know, water finds its level when it comes to that stuff.

The more runners you get on base, they have the second highest average in baseball, I think, behind the Cardinals. Well, when you go through the line and they show everyone's averages, it's like, oh, that looks pretty good. Look at that. The problem is that I believe they only scored 13 runs in the first five games. So, you know, you hope that they continue. Christian Pashy seems to come up with runs. Dude, it's every freaking time. He's a magnet.

He's a magnet for, like, it's a big spot, key spot. And then yesterday they had a pinch hit Josh Harris for him. And Josh Harrison on a bum ankle swinging at the first pitch. I know. By the way, like. How sad is that, by the way? You have to pinch hit Josh Harrison for your center fielder. And then have to put a Munoz Osun center fielder. Right.

I mean, that's like, that's where we're at. We are. Well, and, you know, Rob Thompson. I think he's Rob Thompson right now. Like, I'm not calling him Topper. Dude, so I was going to get there. Go ahead. I was going to get there.

But like, you know, I mean, Stubbsy, Stubbsy roped the ball off the wise again, the World Baseball Classic. You know, I mean, I think it gives you a better chance there than Josh Harrison. Of course he does. I don't think there's any question about it. So, dude, it's like for every, and like, I swear, I'm just, I'm not, I'm not a blame the manager guy. Like, people will do like, their last day's goal, that's on the manager. I don't think it is.

I don't either. I think that's more on the players. That's more on the players for me. I judge a manager by the decisions they've made. Yeah, of course. And the culture they create and all that stuff. And the culture, I think, is still good. It's good, yeah.

It's just like every decision he's made has felt like it's backfired. Every single one. Like, it's an unprecedented run. It's the exact opposite of last year. Yeah. It was like where you felt like you had a minus touch last year. It seems like it's the polar opposite this year. Yeah, and some of the processes,

how they get to the determinations, I don't totally agree with. It feels very like how the swing path lines up with the pitcher's stuff. And it's like, why in the world was Alec Baum back in the 7-hole yesterday? Dude, it made no sense. And can we be honest? Like, way overboard with the righty-lefty thing. Like, what are we—it doesn't have to be that way.

You don't have to go righty-lefty every batter. Like, put the best hitters in the best spots. Get Alec Boehm more at bats. Get him in spots where he's going to have runner on base instead of being the 7th hitter. Because if you do this nonsense— Oh, it's got to be righty-left of being the seventh hitter because you have to do this nonsense. Oh, it's got to be righty lefty. No, it doesn't. It's so weird.

Well, so I agree with you. And if it was back to back lefties at the top of the lineup. That's a different thing. Because then you worry about a lefty coming in late in games. Right. Of course. But like, you know, I watched all week of LeMahieu Judge. Won two. Yes.

Last year. No problem. Last year it went Mookie Turner, right? Many teams do this. It's fine. This is with the righties. Righties know how to hit righties. They hit them all the time.

How about this for a crazy concept? How about your first five hitters are your best hitters? Right? Thank you. I'm throwing my water bottle. You're throwing your water bottle. Because it's so similar. Our pet's heads are falling off. That is definitely the title of the episode.

People are going to be like, what? And Schwarber's getting hot, right? Which is good to see. It's not even June. But like... It's pre-June. But he could bat four. If Boehm was showing good bat control,

and you want to have... I just think Turner-Boehm, from the standpoint of... You don't have to do this yet. Whatever. I understand that. And look, he's missing guys. So the lineup's going to be, he's got to just adjust, period. Push him up.

Push him up. Push him up. Push him up. And by the way, like, I know we've talked about a respect thing and Casties, you know, all that. But, like, can't be in the middle of that. Nick Castellanos gets one more week. Yeah, that's fine. With this whole batting five thing.

But, I mean, so I, and I agree with Rob Thompson. You know, I would have put Castellanos there. You said that before the season. Because I just, you gotta give him the chance to do it. You paid him the money to do it. And if he proves to you he can't do it, then you bump him down. He's got a week. He's got a week to figure it out, and then

hopefully, and I'm not saying that this is likely, this is more hopeful, that he goes down to eight, gets mad, and turns back into Nick Castellanos, but I don't envision that happening. And he goes down to eight and swings at more balls outside because he's pressing. I mean, I have never...

The bat is through the zone so quick. Like, it's just – it's not there. There were so many times the last three games where it was like a 95-mile-an-hour fastball right down the middle low that he just can't get the bat to because the swing is through the zone so fast to where it's just like – there's – I can't believe – I mean, he is on the path. He's on the path of going down as the worst free agent signing in the, like, in the history of the franchise.

Also, also the most shocking, like, again, we keep saying it, but for a guy to 309 with 34 homers two years ago, coming off, let's throw 2020 out the window i think you could do it for everybody outside of 2020 coming off like a run of like five years or six years or whatever or being of being a a really good offensive player a aggressive hitter who goes up and and gets doubles and hits the ball hard and all that like i don't remember not just the fall off to like the numbers wise but to watching him hit he looks he doesn't look anything like that no like like how does that happen how does it go so far from such a confident great hitter to this well and what i what i can't

put my finger on is like first off he's healthy yeah like it's not like it's not like last year we had the whole like oh maybe he's hurt we don't know it thing like he's healthy. Yeah. It's not like you can excuse him. Last year we had the whole, like, oh, maybe he's hurt and we don't know it thing. Like, he's not now. We know that. And I just, I can't remember at 31 being cooked. That's my point. Like, at that age to drop off. That's not how it works.

Like, 34, I get it. 35, I get it. 31? Yep. And it's this kind of. Well, 30 and 31. Yeah. Because you've got to conclude last year, if he falls off, he fell off at 30.

That never happened. Well, and what annoys me is you'll hear, well, he's playing in Detroit and Cincinnati, where the fan bases don't care or whatever. Dude, there was no one there last year. What are we talking about? But at the same time, I watched him put the Cubs on his back in 2019 and carry that team to the playoffs when Schwarber wasn't good, when Rizzo was pretty much cooked.

When these guys were not the same Cubs that we saw in 2016 that won the World Series, Nick Castellanos was unfreaking believable in Chicago. And that is a high-pressure market. That is a market that cares a lot. And he was, dude, I think he batted like over 300 with like a million doubles. And he was just like, that guy, like, it kills me. He's not good. Because I love him.

It breaks my soul, dude. It breaks my soul. And this is not, like, James and I are not, we don't hate Nick Castellanos. Like, I would love to love Nick Castellanos. He was so good for so long. I can't believe he's this good. I would tell people to go back and listen to the pods about before they signed him and when they signed him and my excitement, except I'm embarrassed about it

because it's been so bad. But, yeah, we were ecstatic when they signed him. I can't believe it. I can't. No, I can't. It's the most shocking thing with this team. Of all the stuff, the Nick Castellanos thing, it's one of the most shocking things I remember as a Phillies fan.

That's how dramatic it is. What's shocking to me is that I think Kevin Long's great. By all accounts, he's great. What is it with Nick Castellanos that we can't figure this out? Is it Castellanos not buying in? Is it he just kind of goes and does his own thing and we're not going to, you know, don't mess with him? He'll figure it out?

Because it feels like he has a pretty good answer for everyone else. It feels like everyone else. I mean, Brandon Marsh, I think, has taken massive. Dude, Brandon Marsh should have bought 430-something the other day. Dude, Marsh has been great. Like, offensively, he's been really good. Yeah, he's got a little Victorino in him where it's like he makes a dumb play.

It's only because he's over-aggressive, which Victorino was a lot. Talk about a positive. I need him to not be hurt because I really enjoy watching Brandon Marsh play. Oh, he's so much fun. It's so fun having a center fielder

that can go catch a ball, but now you're starting to see him develop at the plate. And when you're looking for positive signs, like the fact that Baumstadt and Marsh look like all three are taking a nice, solid step forward, I think is like, for everything that's been so downtrodden so far at 105, those three are giving me a little bit of a saving grace. Okay, look at this.

The positives. so well this is how this podcast usually works i was just about to say this is like a classic i hope spot i'm like 17 minutes in turn the pay everything's fine no i just got the reds and the marlins coming up let's go yeah but dude we got i know we got jesus and sandy and no no well we not only do we have that we got hunter green lodolo andolo, and Graham Ashcraft. You want to talk about three Fritz guys. I know. Trust me, I own Graham Ashcraft

and Alika's here. What, did he have 10Ks in his first game? Yeah, it was sick. I don't think it was 10. It was like 8. It was really good. It was like one run innings

with like 8Ks. His stuff is stupid. Yeah. Throws hard. Yeah, it's stupid. Like, for as much as... Hunter Green throws hard. Dude, Hunter Green,

Hunter Green, I think, is what Mark Pryor would have been if he would have stayed healthy. Whoa. His mechanics are that great? His mechanics remind me a ton of Mark Pryor. I mean, that's a bold statement right there. Yeah. Well, we don't live not in the bold. That's true.

No, so... You did just say Nick Cassio is going to be the worst free agent in the history of the Phillies. That's pretty bold. True. Well, for the amount of money he's making and the lack of production... the history of the Phillies. That's pretty bold. True. Well, for the amount of money he's making and the lack of production. Yeah, yeah, of course. That's how you judge it. Well trending.

Like Adam Eaton, obviously, but he's. No, that doesn't count. No, we're talking, the money matters. That's part of the whole discussion. Papa Bond's the all-time leader in saves. I know. I know. Trust me.

I know. Papa Bond. Yeah. Hold on. Which, now obviously this is, you're asking the wrong person, but which frustrates Phillies fans more, Papelbaum being the all-time leader in saves or Bell having the last cycle?

Well, you know it's Papelbaum. I mean, I appreciate your hate for David Bell, and I do think, look, I do think Phillies fans don't like David Bell. I think it's pretty agreed upon. You hate him to a level that most people don't. So I think it's clearly Papelbaum. But you talk about the upcoming schedule, and you talk about these next five series should be get-writable. agreed upon you hate him to a level that most people don't so i think it's clearly pat but

you know you talk about the upcoming schedule and you talk about like these next five series should be get writable you know like you know the rockies coming up they got some they got some games and they go to the white socks and and unfortunately like eloise heard again um and like hopefully cease is hopefully they don't face these he's so good i know like he's nasty lanson looked great in the first star. He's a hit or miss guy. G Alito, they should be able to hit around pretty well. But either way, like.

Yeah, Kopech got crushed. Yeah. I'm not a big Kopech guy. You never were. Credit on that. That was one you nailed. Because he was a top 10 prospect in the sport at one point. Yeah, not a big Kopech guy.

But, you know, they're get writable, but at the same time, like, the Reds, they're throwing their three, like, actually good starters. You know, and then the Marlins, like,s, they're throwing their three actually good starters. And then the Marlins are still the Marlins. I'm just telling you. I'm just telling you now. Luis Perez is going to crush them. He's fun known in fantasy, too. He just gets hits that night. Dude, he's insane.

He just gets hits. The dude hits the ball. Yeah, he is going to be a pain. Marlins team is back to being the worst. Yeah, well, Jesus Lizardo, as we've talked about, like, I mean, that dude is unbelievable. And Alcantara's nasty, and Eric Ribeiro's good. Like, they got picked. That's the thing about the Reds and the Marlins coming to town. Oh, get right.

It's like, yeah, but, like, you could also score no runs against this team. Yes, 100%. Yeah, I mean, it's, I mean, I've always, I'll believe in Trevor Rodgers until he's bad, but whatever. We could say, at least for the Phillies, the Phillies have always handled him for some reason. They can get to Trevor. And Jesus Lozardo down to plus 3,500 on Cy Young. Plus from 10,000.

Don't forget. Love to see that. Anyway, but you talk about I'd love to see the $750 I win if he wins Cy Young. Five to win $750. We can always cash out. Like we always say. You know that I don't cash out.

I never think to cash out or any of that stuff. Staring you right in the face where you could cash out. But yeah, it's just like there's good starting pitching coming up. We'll see what happens with the White Sox. I don't know who's going to be starting that series yet, whatever. Red, same thing. It's a four-game set out in Cincinnati. They do pretty well out there.

It's a good hitters park. Whatever. They should be okay. Rockies is one of those series. Like, just, you know. I mean, the Rockies are horrible, but it's the Phillies-Rockies, so we don't know anything about them. But I will say, maybe before the series starts, like, CJ Krohn has to stay.

Dude, bring him here now. I know. So, I had this written down, and it's really interesting because now that Hall's hurt, and we'll see how banged up he is, but it does put the onus on maybe just go get a guy now if you can. I think you kind of have to. Or I think you at least have to consider it. And we talk about this all the time.

It's always like, wait until the deadline. It's like, that's fine. But then you've only got a third of the season left. You get a guy now, he helps you all year long. And it depends, obviously, if the deadline it's like that's fine but then you've only got a third of the season left like you get a guy now he helps you all year long and it depends obviously the team thinks they're competitive or not um i believe i mean they traded for jay bruce pretty early a couple years ago and look i think for the first time in a long time it seems like the rockies organizationally have said you know what we're probably not gonna win we're not like they always go in they sign chris bryan they do all these things and they always try and like

make a big move it feels like the rockies are not as. Like, they always go in. They sign Chris Bryan. They do all these things, and they always try and, like, make a big move. It feels like the Rockies are not as into it as they've been in years past. So I do think there's more potential there. Yeah, so they trade for Jay Bruce on June 2nd. That's early. So that's early in baseball terms. I just, I don't think they can wait. Like, depending on Hall's health, that is a long time to wait.

And, like, Jesus Aguilar, there's no way the A's wouldn't trade him for you right now. The A's would trade you anyone at any time for anything. Like, just give him cash and you're set, dude. Like, I mean, they are an atrocity in an organization. Yes. Jesus Cesar, though, perfect example. Like, why would you trade that guy? Like, why would you give that guy up?

You know, it might have been a red flag about Christian Pache? That even they were like, you know, we don't have time. We don't have time for this kid to develop. You know what I mean? And he is pretty astounding to be as bad as he is. And don't get me wrong. He's pretty amazing out there in the field. He really is.

He is legitimately great as a player. Hold on. Yes. Throw the ball home. Throw the freaking ball home. He is great at going and getting it. Throw the freaking ball home.

Regardless, the A's were like, yeah, we don't have time for this. That might be a problem. Watching him, I don't think he's ever going to hit. I just think he's never going to hit. I just think he's never going to hit. Well, Kevin Long's in the lab with him. Okay, good.

Will it be like Nick Cassianos? Yeah, well, we'll see. We'll see. Real quick, real quick. The in the lab thing. Oh, you're out in the lab? It's just everyone uses it for everything. Oh, going in the lab, going to cook up a song, going in the lab,

work on our hitting. It's like it's not all freaking labs, going in the lab, going to cook up a song, going in the lab, work on our hitting. It's like it's not all freaking labs, all right? Like enough. We're going in the lab to get. But we're in the lab right now. No, we're not. No, we're not. We're in a studio recording a podcast.

Like enough with the lab. Is that fair? I'm in the lab when I'm on my drive-ins. You don't think it's overused? I know you just used it, but you don't think it's overused? A little bit. A little bit. A little bit.'t think it's overused? I know you just used it, but you don't think it's overused? A little bit. A little bit.

A little bit. Well. A little overused. Probably, but I'm also very pro. I'm very pro in the lab. Like, when I'm cooking up some gambling lines, I'm in the lab. See, again, everyone's always in the lab. Everyone's in the lab. Can't we come up with a new thing?

Well, what else would you use? I don't know. I haven't really given it much thought. I just want to get rid of lab. Maybe before you hate, you could think of something else. No. As a better alternative. You could just say where the actual thing is, like in the studio.

I'm in the studio. Oh, what about? Because that works too. You know, studios are made for that, believe it or not. Yeah. We're literally in one. Yeah, I get it. I get it.

I just don't know what I'm supposed to use in terms of like, you know, cooking up gambling line. How about I'm in the kitchen cooking up gambling lines? Right. Yeah, right? What is that? Literal. It doesn't flow as well as in the lab.

I know. That's the problem. It just sounds weird. Do you think Dave Dombrowski's in the lab trying to find a first baseman? I think he should be in his office making phone calls. All right. In the boardroom? He's in the boardroom?

I like the boardroom. Dave's in the boardroom cooking something up. I like it. What about the, which do you not like more, the lab or when He's in the boardroom? I like the boardroom. Dave's in the boardroom cooking something. I like it. What about the, which do you not like more, the lab or when they call it the war room for drafts? I'm okay with that. You're pro war room? I'm pro war room.

All right. It seems a little heavy. You're just making draft picks. Yeah, it's a good point. It's a little over the top. No one's dying here. Just making draft picks. It's like when you talk about

we're going into battle. We're talking about playing football. Which it is a combat sport, but I mean like, you know, it's not battle. Hopefully no one's dying out there. Yes. Hopefully not. So things are fine. Things are good. Things are good.

Things are going well. We're going to go in the lab, we'll cook up a pod. Yeah. Everything will be great. Yeah. Everything will be great. Yep. Yeah.

I don't know where we were. I'm pinning my hopes on Jesus Aguilar. They're going to say on Jesus Lizardo winning the Cy Youngs, that's what we have right now. Yeah, that's my number one priority at the current moment. And Garrett Mitchell. But besides that, everything's fine. Everything's fine. Yeah, everything's fine. so where do we go from here jack where do we go from here well we go from here is that they return home on friday they do and hope you have to hope that citizens bank park gets behind them and they go out there and they perform and they take a deep breath.

My fear is that the beginning of this season has dampened the spirits of Phillies fans in that it won't have the same jubilation that I believe it should. It definitely won't. And I'm just telling you, it won't. It might be. It might be. It'll be fun there tomorrow. It's a Friday.

People be in good mood, like, especially if they get up early, people get behind them and all that. But like, it should have been a party. And it should have been a party. And I said this to you on the pod multiple times heading into season before the season. And that's part of why this is so disappointing is that in my, certainly in the last, in my time in this business, for sure. And one of the most times in my life,

there had never been a season that was more important for them to start hot for the fan base. I don't ever remember one where it was like, all right, you have a chance to take what just happened in October and November and that fire and that excitement and that city behind you and to your point, people loving the Phillies again. It's right there to grab.

And this start, it sucks because it hurts that. It takes away from that. It makes it that much more less likely that the place is going to be full all year. Well, that's why this weekend comes down to, obviously, two of three is imperative. I think it's the most important series in the history of the Phillies. There it is. 2-1-5-5-9-2-9-4-9-4. But if they go out and they win the first two, I think Sunday gets back to being like,

okay, we're fine. I agree with you. And Sunday's the ring ceremony. It's where Scott Kingery gets his ring and Will Toffee and all these guys that contributed for the 2022 Phillies. They finally get their rings. So I think that Sunday is back if these first two games go right. And they kind of ease everyone's fear right now in the city. Because that's what it is.

Right now, I think the best way to describe Phillies fans and us is that, like, we know it's early, but, like, figure it out. Like, we know it's early. We get it. There's 156 games left. But, like, you're not calming everyone down. Like, you're not giving people stuff to like latch on to and say it'll be okay um and some of that's the injury some of it's the the way they

played i mean what was it four four base running mistakes already oh my god dude it's unbelievable i mean trey turner getting picked off the marsh day i mean we've all thrown out second base on second base jt on saturday and then the field the field, we had Marsh misplaying that ball that led to the triple start of the game. The ball that dropped between Turner and was it Harrison and left? Whoever it was and left. And when you're down the players that they are, this little stuff can't happen. I mean, this is the time when everyone's got to take their game up to another level. Well, especially with injuries.

We saw it last year with Harper, right? Harper goes down. They play their best baseball of the season. That should be the feel right now. You don't have Bryce Harper. Guys are going down. You're there. You're back in June last year where you have to step the bleep up

and really bring it, and they have to. 32-20 without Bryce last year. Everyone kind of stepped up and said, we're not going to let this season fall apart right in front of our eyes. The Eagles are a famous example of this. When Wentz went down, everyone went up and stepped up their game to pick up the slack of losing the MVP of the league. This is what teams have to overcome.

And I know it's early to say we can't let the season slip away, but when you look at the National League, and we know it's a talented league, and we know that it's going to take a lot of wins for them to get there, like one in five is just, you're already behind the eight ball. The Mets have gotten off to a disastrous start. They have a lot of old players. We'll see if they can, like, we'll see.

They've had some tough losses, too. Like, at least. They're getting smoked in some of these games. Yeah, well, first, they lost 1-10-0. They've lost on a walk-off. Like, they've had some, like, bad loss. Like, we had one bad loss. But otherwise, it's been, like, just losing baseball.

Like, they've had some gut-punch losses already. Right. And, like, Verlander's hurt. I'm always... I'm surprised their payroll's that high. I keep looking at it. I'm so with you. I look at it and I'm like, how are you spending this much money? Who's spending it? I know Scherzer and Verlander cost a lot, but...

And Lindor. And Lindor. They haven't paid Pete Alonso yet. It's crazy. It's a great point. That's common. That's probably going to come. They mean, they gave what? They gave Nemo 80 some? Over 100. Nemo got 108 million or something like that.

That's a wild contract. Who do you think is freaking out more, Mets fans or Phillies fans? Phillies fans. Really? Yeah, I think so. Okay. Don't you? I would be worried if I was a Mets fan.

I would be more worried than... I love this. This is the best thing you said yet. I think the Phillies have a better chance of bouncing I was a Mets fan. I would be more worried than... I think the... I love this. This is the best thing you said yet. I think the Phillies have a better chance of bouncing back than the Mets. Wow. I mean, the Mets are old. I do, too. Look, I like the Phillies more than the Mets coming into the season, but, I mean, the Mets are 3-4.

It just doesn't feel like as panicky as 1-5. I think you asked not what i think and who's better whatever you know they're only two games fine i think they'll make that up but in terms of which fan base is more concerned right now i think it's the one in five family we'll see no i'm not seeing that no it seems like you love the mets i got you yes that's it good take um all right let's i want to get to take it back in a sec shout out to miller light yes you know might have to change it though miller Miller Lite's for Phil's loss. Oh, no.

That's too much tweeting for me, buddy. I don't know if I can keep up with that. Yeah, my big thing with Miller Lite's now is, like, I got to do Final Out. So, do I have a beer before Final Out? I think you have a beer as you're doing Final Out. Yeah. No big deal. Yeah, I'll be all right.

Everyone's fine with that. Yeah, everyone's fine. Yeah. And plus, how many Miller Lites can you down before, you know, you have an issue? I would just have one. Quite a few. Yeah, I'll be all right. Yeah. Yeah. Everyone's fine with that. Yeah. Everyone's fine. Yeah. Okay. Plus, how many Miller lights can you down before, you know, you have an issue? I would just have quite a few. Yeah. I would just have one Miller light and I still take the edge off. Listen, if Joe Buck can have a big 24 ounce beer before, before he calls games.

Does he do that? Yeah. Did he say that? Yeah. That's great stuff, Joe. Yeah. I appreciate it. And then time to calm down. Hey.

One of those 24 ounces. Hey, a little inside baseball here. You've definitely heard some pods where Jack and I have had some beers before. Oh, I appreciate it. And then tell him to calm down. Hey. One of those 24 hours. Hey, a little inside baseball here. You've definitely heard some pods where Jack and I have had some beers before. Oh, I think that's evident. Honestly, when we do pods at home, generally we have a beer when we do it. Well, and definitely for most of the run last year, when the podcast had turned into like, this is so fun. You know what I mean?

Yeah. Like a lot of our analysis after big wins in the playoffs was like, this is the greatest thing I've ever seen. This is so fun. You know what I mean? A lot of our analysis after big wins in the playoffs was like, this is the greatest thing I've ever seen. I can't believe you get to do this. Wow, can you believe it? Those were such good times. If I could go back and live in a month, it would be that month.

We'll be watching a lot. They'll be fine. I haven't even started looking at the draft yet. See? Well, no no I have but like not but not not from the standpoint

of like are we gonna get one of the top guys that was really funny yeah go on I mean Kevin McGonigal

at Bonner might need to be Bonner really he's nasty yeah he should be a top 15 pick wow really yeah

okay local kid well listen he said in an interview he resembles his game after Chase Utley. So that's pretty amazing. And he's a second baseman? Yeah, sold. Like that's the guy. Don't worry.

My favorite player of all time. Don't worry. I will be on a hardcore, like a big old campaign to make sure he's a favorite. And your campaigns are effective. Sometimes. All right. It feels definitively like take back time. All right.

All right, a couple things here. Time on Walker, I thought, looked pretty good. Yeah, again, if Marsh doesn't misplay that ball, who knows how that start goes? Like, he had a triple off the bat that shouldn't have been a triple. Right. But, you know, I bat that shouldn't have been a triple. Right. But I liked those fastballs back in the 96. I saw

an up and V low. I thought the slider had more and by the numbers, the slider had more bite, which is good. It looked like it had some bite. I didn't remember it looking that good with the Mets. I love that splitter. The splitter is my favorite pitch in baseball.

I hate that ititter. I'm, like the splitter is my favorite pitch in baseball. I hate that. This period. Yeah. I hate that it's gone away. It feels like it's kind of. I'm surprised we've never talked about that before. So the splitter is your favorite pitch. Oh,

I love the splitter. Wow. That's interesting. And we've never, I can't believe it's never come up. Yeah. I think, I just think it's cool.

Well, and it's my favorite because I could never throw it. Like I knew it. So it was more of like a, I'm impressed. I couldn't believe the people that could go like Clemens at his peak. You know,

like with the Astros or whatever when I started watching Clemens. I was going to say his peak. I know it wasn't his peak. Multiple peaks, I guess. My Roger Clemens. That's tough

that you're Roger Clemens at Astros. No, I would say I remember 03 Clemens with the Yankees. I don't remember him throwing the bat at the Yards.

With the Blue Jays. Yeah, no. You don't remember any of that? No, no, no. And I definitely don't remember the 20 the bat at the odds. With the Blue Jays. Yeah, no. You don't remember any of that? No, no, no. And I definitely don't remember the 20-some strikeout games. But, like, 0-3 Clemens with the Yankees, and then the Astros-Clemens, where he's winning Cy Youngs and coming in halfway through the year.

Oh, yeah, buddy. But, like, how he made his splitter just, like, fall off the table like that, I couldn't believe it. Anyway, so I thought Tyler Walker looked pretty good. Real quick, before you move on. Okay. Because I do have a pitch question now that I meant to ask you, and I'm happy you brought up the splitter being your favorite pitch.

Thoughts on the sweeper? I mean, it's basically a slider, right? It's like a horizontal slider. So I guess, you know, someone asked me, like, what's the difference? So what are your thoughts? Because there's a new pitch that they talk about all the time now. And I'm like, wait, what? Hold on.

Is it a slider? Is it kind of a slider? What's the deal with the sweeper? I guess my question is, like, what's a new pitch that they talk about all the time now. I'm like, wait, what? Hold on. Is it a slider? Is it kind of a slider? What's the deal with the sweeper? I guess my question is, like, what's the difference between that and a slurve? Because the slurve has been around for years. And I guess the difference is that it's thrown harder. But, I mean, I'm very pro-sweeper. It's like, so the curveball, I guess, is, like, becoming more hittable.

So the curveball, I guess, is becoming more hittable. The slider was all the craze three years ago where it came like it's unhittable. And then the sweeper is the perfect in-between. So it's like a slider-curve mix. It's essentially a slurve. I guess it's just thrown harder. So yeah, I don't have a great definition for it. But you're in on the sweeper. Of course.

The smart teams have it. Every smart team But you're in on the sweeper. Of course. The smart teams have it. Every smart team is where you're learning the sweeper. And I think the Phillies might be a little ahead of the curve with the cutter. Ooh. I think the cutter is going to start working. Okay, then an important question as a follow-up here. What's a better name, slurve or sweeper? Sweeper.

Yeah, it's better. I'm anti-slurve. Yeah, so it's a shame because slurve is a more appropriate name. Like if it's a mix between, it's basically in between a curve and a slider, like what a perfect name for it. It just sounds gross, the slurve. Like there's something kind of gross sounding about it. Slurvy?

It just does it like sweeper. Sweeper makes sense. I get it. Sweeped him. Yeah. I'm in on sweeper. So I think it's a good pitch, and hopefully Wheeler continues to figure out how to throw it. I had to ask. Thank you. All right, what I'm in on sweeper. So I think it's a good pitch and hopefully Wheeler continues to figure

out how to throw it. I had to ask. Thank you. Alright, what's next? Oh, right. Official... Jack just totally looked away for his notes. I have to make an official statement on Junior Marte. Oh, yes.

By the way, that was something I was going to mention. Topper 2, though. I didn't... A, the wrong spot. And then. By the way, that was something I was going to mention. Topper, too, though. I didn't, like, just left him out. The wrong spot. A, the wrong spot. And then B, both times, particularly the second one, particularly against the Yankees. Like, let that game get further away than it needed to.

You know? Like, that game didn't have to turn into, like, 8-1 or whatever it was. It could have been 4-1 or 5-1 or whatever and still be in the game. And he just, like, was like, all right, we're lost. Let's just let you and your die out there. Well, and I guess he's thinking I have a bullpen game the next day. I know. I know what he's thinking.

But like, dude, you know, you were on three at that point. Yeah. So obviously the first thing to say is not great. But I do think like he should have been a guy. Listen, this is he's in the big leagues before, but this is a guy that you should be using in mop-up. That's what I expected. I expected him to pitch when it's 8-1, you bring you in your Marte.

I mean, this is what they did with Rosso, too. Yeah, I remember. They used him as a closer in the first game of the year. It's like, hold on, relax. They actually really value spring training results like heart like the like jake cave is and i think cave started to put together good at bats but like they definitely like are like jake caves arrived um so you know i i still believe in this stuff i just think that needs to go to triple a i was probably fine with it and

then hopefully they work the alvarado magic and he can come back and help out. But trying to put him into a tight game in Texas-ish and the game on Monday, it's like I think they were just setting him up for failure. And hopefully that he can go down to AAA. I agree with you. I hated the way he was used.

Speaking of another guy that I was terrified of, I was like, what are you doing, Rob? But McKinley Moore was warming up in the 8th of another guy that i was terrified i was like i was like what are you doing rob but like he like mckinley moore was warming up in the eighth in his first ever game in the big leagues and it was like rob like what are you doing like calm down like calm down please because i because i think mckinley moore like for as much as i was in on you know marty also in mckinley moore so like hopefully this doesn't backfire um but are you scared to your name, guys? I am scared. I'm terrified. I know.

I know. Are you hearing it? I'm trying to tread lightly on being all in on McKinley Moore, but just know that I'm all in on him. I don't think anyone on this podcast wants you to tread lightly. Well, whatever.

He has some stuff, so I can't wait. I'm excited for McKinley Moore. He's disgusting this spring. He has some stuff, so I can't wait. I'm excited for him again. He's disgusting this spring. Noah had a good bounce back yesterday. It was a little frustrating that he said that in between starts he worked with his team. I know. It's like, what do you mean? You didn't do this before?

Did you think they were going to change the rules? Like, you didn't do this before? Like, this was not something you did in spring training? It was crazy that he said that. Like, we don't, I almost said bat bleep. It was bat bleep that they did not, like, do this all spring. And it goes back to the Harper comments. We didn't talk about it last pod, but the Harper comments during the ESPN game,

where he's like, oh, I know a lot of players want to get our game back or whatever. It's like, bro, like, this is not going anywhere. Like, you guys are crazy. This is here to stay. The pitch got, and I do think, and Joe brought this up on the show, and he might be over on the morning show. He might be overthinking or whatever, but he's like, is that the message that's throughout the locker room?

Like, is it Bryce Harper being like, yeah, this sucks. Hopefully we won't have to do it long. Is this like Nola being like, oh, I don't want to do this. I wish we, like, is that like like, because you've got to embrace it. Like, I know you guys hate it, but guess what? It's here and it's here to stay. The pitch clock is not going anywhere. Like, get used to it, figure it out.

Yeah. So it's just like, did you think that when the season started they were not going to do the pitch clock? It's crazy. This is crazy. So that was – I clock? It's crazy. This is crazy. So, that was frustrating. I mean, it's crazy. That was frustrating.

But I thought he was really good yesterday. I did too. There was a couple things. Like, you know, he had Gleyber Torres, one, two, and he had him set up for a curveball, and they threw a fastball, and he dumped it into center field, whatever. He did get screwed in the first inning yesterday.

You know, I mean, it was a strike, and JT threw down a second, and the umpire didn't see it. It should have been strike three. Runner scoring position, whatever he allows it to run. Good bounce back stuff from Knowles. Hopefully that he can continue to train in the right direction. And then have a match draw him.

Love him. He was awesome. And not just, he looked great, obviously. He really did pitch well. You read the articles heading into it about him kind of taking a different approach as a starter, a relief pitcher approach and being more aggressive and all that, not worrying about setting up pitches or worrying about getting deep in the games. And I think that really helped him. You could see it when he pitched.

But, man, is he fun. They're talking to himself. They're freaking out the bullpen or the dugout, like all that. I want that. Super fun guy. And, yeah, we need that. We need a little fire, man. Are you in or out on the nickname Pastrami?

So I did not know about it. So give me a sec to like internalize this. Marsh calls him Pastrami. Pastrami. Okay, so I'm torn on this because let me tell you, Pastrami's amazing. Like I'm Jewish. So like I'm-

We know. Pastrami, like a good Pastrami sandwich from a Jewish deli with some mustard. I mean, it's among my favorite things on the planet. It's not a great thing. It's not a good thing. It's just not. I mean, it sounds ridiculous, to be honest.

Pastrami. That's not intimidating. That's not cool. Hey, look, it's pastrami. It's like a joke. It's like, oh, look at this. Pastrami's over there. You know what I'm saying?

Yeah. So good try. Good effort. Look, Strom, oh, look at this. He's over there. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. So good try. Good effort. Look, Strom, I appreciate the effort, the thought. I get it. I get it. I get it. Hate it.

And, yeah, I guess my final thing here is that, like, there's a lot of rotting on the Nick Sirianni first pitch tomorrow. Oh, buddy. I mean, this is a guy who preaches competitiveness. It's a great point. And he is a guy that will shoot hoops with draft prospects

and he competes at everything. We compete, compete, compete. If he doesn't throw a strike, I think it's an issue. So, okay. I generally agree. I'm okay. It doesn't necessarily

have to be a strike. I need him to bring it. I need him to go to the mound, get on the rubber, like don't do any of this BS, like stand in front of the mound and like soft toss it in there. Like he him to go to the mound, get on the rubber, don't do any of this BS, stand in front of the mound and soft toss it in there. He has to take this seriously. I couldn't agree with you more.

And I said this to you on the radio last night, but he's also got the whole Doug thing. Doug could not have done better. Doug walked out, cools a cucumber, and rifles a strike. That was a pitch. It was like 80 miles an hour or whatever. He's got a lot to

live up to because the last time the Super Bowl coach of the Eagles went back and threw a first pitch, it was good. It was really good. Yeah, I need at least 70 miles an hour. I agree with you. Yeah, I need 70. Again, it doesn't have to be a strike, but he has to

throw it in the mound and has to reach the catcher. There has to be conviction. Yeah. Again, if it's a high and outside, fine. Listen, if you dot strike, but he has to throw it in the mound and has to reach the catcher. There has to be conviction. Yeah. Again, if it's like a high and outside, fine. Listen, if you dot the outside corner, I'll take it. Exactly. I'll give you the call. I'll CB Buckner it. I don't care.

Exactly. There's pressure on. This is not a walk in the park first pitch tomorrow. Dude, I agree with you. This is not like, oh, congratulations, Nick. We get it. You guys lost in the Super Bowl. We get it. You know?

This is a go out there and deliver a strike, Mr. Competitive. I agree with you. Now, let's say Nick goes out and nails it. Goes out from the mound, throws a strike. It's awesome. Is the cheer for him bigger than any other cheer the Phillies get? It better not be. Is the cheer for him bigger than the pennant flag?

Believe me, as someone that had to internalize the Eagles' chance in the fourth game of the season, I don't need that. It was tough. That was a tough look. It was a tough look. And, you know, deserved. Me and Franski had the same reaction. Eagles' chance, huh? None of that

this weekend. I mean, you're down 8-1. I know. 0-3. Well aware. Watched it. There's no one who hates Eagle Chance at Phillies games more than you. You are like top of the list. Yep. I did a whole rant on it. I know. It's very...

And I generally... I'm against Eagle Chance at Phillies games unless the Phillies force you to do an Eagle Chance at Phillies game. That's the way I look at it. And I think that's a fair way to do it. And it's almost a, hey, it's like booing. It's like a version of booing. It's worse for me.

You think it's worse? It's worse. I love that. I love that about you. I don't think it is, but I love it. If I was a player. I love that you think it's worse. If I was a player, I would be more offended at an Eagles-Chantant

than I would being booed. I get that. I get that. It's a strong take. would being. I get that. I get that. It's a strong take. Thank you. I appreciate it. 2-1-5. You know it's a good Bob when you're doing the 2-1-5 multiple times

throughout the month. All right. Enjoy Vermont, buddy. Everything's fine. Oh, yeah. So I will not, sadly, the one real shame of the Phillies moving the home opener. Because for everyone else, it's great. It's Friday instead of Thursday. You get to go down and have a great time

relax Jack's got the day off the next day he doesn't have to worry about work and all that I can't go yep shout out to my buddy Chad maybe that's a good thing though shout out

yeah that's true shout out to my buddy Chad getting married on Saturday I'm in the wedding we're driving we're finishing my show at 10 tomorrow I'm driving straight up to Vermont which Jack is very jealous of.

Love Vermont. Yeah. And you saw the place we're going. It's really beautiful. It's going to be awesome. I'm going to have a great weekend. I'm happy for you. I'm going to miss the Phillies, which will be a bummer, but Jack will be there. If you're at the game, say hi to Jack. Tell him you love him. Now, do I stand in the same place that we watched

Bedlam at the Bank and all those moments. Yeah. Was that outside 424? No, no, it was 120. I'm an idiot. Yeah, it was like 126, 128, somewhere around there. So I'll probably be standing there

with Elliot. Oh yeah. Let Elliot give you some baseball takes. Dude, no. Our text thread has gotten a little angry lately. Because we're actually getting annoyed with him. I literally gave him a please stop. Nine defenders and nine hitters. I did a voice message yelling at him.

Because I couldn't text him anymore. I was so mad. He's relentless. So mad. He believes it. I'm aware. I'll be there tomorrow for at least a couple innings and then I gotta do a final out.

Look at you. On the grind. That's what we do. How's Walker, by the way? Walker's great. He's not sleeping through the night. Welcome, buddy. Welcome to Paris. It's all good. He is well worth it. So, you know, I'm very happy.

I'm so happy. I haven't put on any Philly stuff with him yet. So we'll work on that. Okay. Yeah, that's an important step. Yeah, I know. The guys are playing better. Yeah, it's true.

Right now. As we've talked about, I mean... But also, welcome to Philadelphia, kid. Yeah, it's a good point. It's a good point. This is welcome to Philadelphia moment. Get ready for... Oh, you thought it was going to be all sunshine and rainbows?

Get ready for a few more, buddy. You thought this was going to be easy? Yeah, it ain't. It ain't. All right, you got any final thoughts? No. Yeah, I don't either. It doesn't feel like a final thought got a bond.

Just win. Yeah, just win. Just win. Thank you. We'll be back next week. He's for himself. We'll see you next time.