High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Phillies Blow A Four-Run Lead In Game 2 Postgame Pod

Episode Date: October 10, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies loss to the Braves in Game 2 of the NLDS. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

Another fact, so jump aboard the B.I.B. Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. It is a special High Hopes radio edition of Final Out. Jack Fritz, James Seltzer with you for the next hour. And that sucked. That sucked.

Like, what a frustrating, infuriating baseball game to watch. Fritzie, I had almost forgotten how painful a playoff loss, especially one like that can be, even though we know what that loss feels like. How you doing, pal? Well, at least they've never had a 4-0 lead in a game two in a division series that has come back to haunt them yeah the name cliff lee was thrown around quite a bit tonight yes yeah man um that was a game that

they completely let slip away they had all the momentum they had a chance to totally step on a throat they had their ace absolutely dominating and what they did did tonight, and I'm glad that there's 48 hours off, like, frankly, like, they need that. Or at least, whatever, 24 hours, then a full day. Like, that's one where you just got to take a deep breath and walk away from for a little bit because, you know, that's a game they should have won. And that's a crushing loss.

And I think this team is tough. I think they're resilient. I think that Nick Cassianos' quotes after the game, I think that's important. And I like the makeup of this team. But that was a chance to take a 2-0 lead against your arch rival, against a team that won 100-plus games this year in a tight ballpark that they let get awoken.

And that's what worries me about tonight. Would we have walked into this series and accepted a 1-1 split in Atlanta? Of course. I would have rather gotten blown out tonight. I would have rather gotten blown out, flushed it, you're back on Wednesday night. Losing in that way makes me a bit nervous, James. Yeah, look, I think you said it perfectly.

It felt like Atlanta was dead for the first 15 innings of this series. Atlanta was dead. They were cooked. They were buried, and they gave him life and and it started with that turner error and kind of just spiraled from there and and your point i mean wheeler you know obviously until the darno homer you know arguably is as good as he's ever looked in a philly's uniform like one of those type of outings for those first six and for it to to spiral like that.

It was just an incredibly frustrating and the runners left. I mean, there's so many things you can point to Jack throughout the night where it's not just like they, they blew a game or whatever. It's a game that they won. Like they won that game and they just, they gave it away.

Yeah. And I think it starts with the Turner era. Didn't have to happen. Like that's, that is just such lack. And I think it starts with a Turner error. Didn't have to happen. Like, that is just such lack. And listen, they hit a lip. I get it. Get your glove down, man. Like, you just, you awoke the ballpark for no reason.

For no reason. You let that place, you know, come to life. And ever since that moment, it felt like you could just feel it. You could just feel them start to believe. And those kind of things come back to bite you. They just come back to bite you. The runners on base early, yeah, sure. But then a playoff game broke out

after the Turner error. And ever from that moment on, it was just hold on to your butts. That is what it was. Even with a three-run lead at that point, it was still, I don't know, something kind of feels off here. Now, Thompson's going to get crushed. And I just, for as much as you give him a lot of credit for what happened Saturday,

that was a master class, what happened tonight was, you know, his guys didn't go out there and make the pitches in the spots that they needed them to make pitches. Like, putting Wheeler back out there, I didn't think was some egregious decision. I assumed Olsen was going to get on. He got out of Zuna. And at that point, who do you trust more in that situation, James? Do you trust Zach Wheeler, who's been great all night, or Jeff Hoffman against Travis

Darnell? That's the decision that they pretty much had to make. And the literal worst case scenario happened. The only thing that could have caused a tailspin happened.

I can't believe Riley hit that ball out. I was like, that's a pop-up. I didn't even think that was a home run, James. I thought that was off the end of the bat. He went out and tried to get it, and Marsh was going to get it at the warning track. And it just kept freaking carrying. I mean, of course it's that guy, too.

I know. Of course it's that guy too i know like of course it's that guy um god that sucked god that absolutely sucked yeah i know there's really no other way to put it and you know there are so many things you can point to look i thought you after on on saturday a brilliant managing performance from topper look i wasn't as upset as a lot of people were. I could see the case, the argument of, you know, even after Olsen gets on base to take him out for Ozuna. But, you know, I was fine with it. I was fine leaving him in.

Darno's numbers against Wheeler, which is why I was in the game. You can make the argument, all right, well, Darno sees him well. Like, maybe you do make a move there. So I certainly am not going to, you know, question people who criticize him there. I wasn't as upset as others, but, you know, Topper wasn't as on point. And look, guys, let him down to your point. The bigger thing, like Jeff Hoffman comes into that game

and has gotten those outs all year long. Like all year long, Jeff Hoffman has come into a spot like that and come through, and tonight didn't, Jack. Yeah, well, and at that point so if you bring hoffman in to get azuna which which wheeler ended up getting and getting darnell like you're not you're using alvarado the next inning is the point well but you're not you're not bringing in you're not bringing in hoffman after you strike out azuna like i just i don't care about the career numbers no no i was talking about yeah like no no i know but i I'll get there. But after you strike out Ozuna,

I'm not bringing in Jeff Hoffman for Travis Arnault. Okay, so I'm going to trust my ace there. But even if you did, if you, whatever, Olsen, maybe you have Alvarado start that inning, and then it's Alvarado against all those righties. Is that something you want? If Olsen's on, then you bring in Hoffman immediately, then who is pitching for the right-handed bats late in the game?

Do you trust Sir Anthony? So, like, ultimately, the guys let him down tonight, whereas on Saturday, the guys did a great job. Now, maybe this is one of those instances where Sir Anthony has been one of your studs for the last couple of years and just trust him in that spot over a Jeff Hoffman, who has been a journeyman and one of the, has just been a bust frankly for,

for being a top 10 overall pick. So like, do you go back to Sir Anthony in that spot over a guy who's kind of done that job for the last month and a half of the season? Like I wouldn't have done that. I'm putting Jeff Hoffman in that spot. He made you hitting Acuna was annoying annoying because then it's like, okay, now you're clearly a little bit rattled here.

And what honestly annoyed me more than anything is that Austin Riley has had trouble all series long with 98 up. You had him beat with 98 up, and he sped up the bat by throwing that slider. And he went down and got it. And he took it out. It's, again, for as great as he was on Saturday, tonight he just trusted his ace. And ultimately that backfired.

But if you're telling me the one guy that I want to trust on this team right now, I'm trusting Zach Wheeler. Yeah. And look, you can't have it both ways. You know, everyone was so mad at Topper last year for pulling Wheeler. And now they're mad for leaving him in. I mean, at some point you have to have consistency with it. And Wheeler was great.

Like until the darn no home run, like nothing had been his fault, man. I mean, like the only run was given up on an error you know so so i'm with you i think you trust me it was only at 80 something pitches like i think you trust him in that spot i agree let's get to the final play of the game 215-592-9494 if you want to get in we want to talk to you react see where the the pulse of the fan base is look ultimately i know there's a lot of frustration. I do think this had a chance to be over, and now it's a real deal series. Like, there's no question. But, you know, I joked, you know, after the game, it's like, you know, we did say go down to Atlanta and split.

Like, that's all we wanted. It was just like, not like this. Don't do it like this. To your point, just get blown out tonight, whatever. Game twos. Like, if we could just eliminate all game twos from series it would be a beautiful thing but they are one one coming home to this ballpark where we know you know we've been so successful so uh you know to your point i think it is a a get angry tonight and then kind of you breathe a little bit and get ready for wednesday type of situation but but

before we go to the phones and again 215-592-9494 if you want to get in. Let's talk about the last play of the game, Jack. Because, you know, obviously, you're kind of a perfect capper for what was a perfect meltdown of a game. You know, so many things. Obviously, so many people talking about the Chaz-McCormick catch. I actually thought, you know, with the throw, it's impressive. I thought the McCormick catch was better, personally. Thank you. Like, people keep saying it looks exactly like it.

No, it didn't. Like, McCormick gave up his whole body going into that wall. Like, it's a different catch. Plus, he's Way better. Yeah, thank you. Like, people keep saying it looks exactly like it. No, it didn't. Like, McCormick gave up his whole body going into that wall. Like, it's a different catch. Plus, he's from Westchester. Exactly. Plus, you know, it was in our building. But, look. Plus, it was game five. Plus, it was World Series. But, yeah, a hell of a play

from Michael Harris. Cassidy put a drive in it, man. Oh, God. And, look, Harper, I appreciate the aggressiveness. Like, you can't get thrown out there. You just can't. You can't get thrown out there. Well, it's just at least go to second, you know.

Yeah, stand right near second base. You score anyway. If the ball caroms off the wall there, you could be standing still on second base and still score there, Bryce. Well, if the ball caroms off the wall or, you know, bops off his glove. Or whatever, yeah. Then you're at third base with one out with a chance to score. Minim there, Bryce. Well, if the ball caroms off the wall or, you know, bops off his glove. Or whatever, yeah. Then you're at third base with one out with a chance to score. Minimum, minimum.

So it's Bryce, you know. Listen, if Michael Harris drops that ball and he's going all the way, he scores there, it's like, oh, my God, what a heroic decision from Bryce. It was just a night of everything that they've been... Well, it's only been one game, so it's hard to say the entire series. They've been aggressive all series long. They have

trusted guys in big spots that haven't done it a lot in years past, a la Jeff Hoffman tonight in big spots. Jeff Hoffman did the job in the fourth inning on Saturday. He did not do the job tonight. So, you know, the aggressiveness, the inexperienced guys in big spots, all that came back to bite him tonight. I would like Bryce to be smarter there,

but at the same time, if Michael Harris drops that ball or it does get past him, he thinks it gets over his head, he's scoring, and we're celebrating Bryce and all of his hustle. So it more comes down to you break that game open early. You don't let it get that close late. Even if it does get that close late, you have more runs and stuff to play with like that game should have been it should have been six nothing instead of four nothing well it should have been a lot like game one last year down there against freed where they score seven to six game exactly where they were

able to get up big and then the Braves kept creeping back in until ultimately Castellanos made the big catch late they just didn't do the job well enough early and throughout the game to extend that lead to where, like, when they came, now they were wrong, the broadcast was wrong, where they said that they allowed 10 base runners through four innings. It was really seven. So, but when they said that, was like damn it man like that that's something that comes back to bite you against a braves team that is as good as they have been

um and really listen trey made the unbelievable defensive play on saturday the double plays is uh you know a mount rushmore type phillyies defensive moment in team history. But that error, simply put, it re-energized that ballpark and gave the Braves life. 4-1 game, I get it, did not need to happen. And to go with that, I mean, you had the error earlier. The error to break out the no-hitter, yeah, no doubt. Or the perfect game, I mean. That was, now Wheeler was able to pitch around it.

But that was a horrendous – just he booted it. Yeah. It was like Jake Berger-esque. Just a little bit of a lack of attention to detail. Yeah, focus. Focus. Yeah. And ultimately a total, total missed opportunity.

I think when we wake up tomorrow – all right, maybe not tomorrow morning, tomorrow afternoon, I think I'll feel okay because they did split in Atlanta. But man, for as much as we talk about big game Noles and trusting Aaron Nola, I mean, that trust is going to be put to the test. And for as good and it's out and how amazing citizens bank park is there also is a tendency to be tight and i just hope that they go out they take care of business and they don't let citizens bank park get tight on wednesday because this is one of those games where you worry has that carryover effect well they got to do what they did last year i mean again you know is uh even though it played out differently in terms of the way they won game one and the way they lost game two

against Atlanta last year versus this year, you know, it's still just along that same track of this postseason, like eerily similar in the beats to last year. Yeah, but they didn't have that game. No, no, no, but I mean the beats. Look, I mean, yes, I know what you mean, but they are coming back from Atlanta 1-1 with Nolan on the hill at home. Like, same spot.

Like, it's the same spot. It didn't play out exactly the same, and it feels different. But it's the exact same spot, like, factually, that they were in last year. But not circumstantially. Well, I mean, no. I mean, in the sense that, yes, that was a frustrating loss, and you hope it doesn't motivate the Braves and all that. But, like, factually, you're coming back 1-1 with no law on the hill. Like that is the exact same situation.

And look, ultimately, you know, the Braves were going to hit at some point. This is the best offense we've seen in our lifetime. They weren't going to get shut out twice at home. Like it was coming. It's just a shame that the Phillies, to your point, didn't get up enough earlier and made silly mistakes to give away runs. right 215-592-9494 let's get some reaction on the phones it's fritz at seltzer it's high hopes radio a special edition of final out as we react to the first loss of the postseason for the phils this year one one series coming back wednesday night game four let's start out where we have every single post game so far granted after wins tonight after

a loss let's talk target black grady what up baby mama no low yes we took an l tonight i i don't know what's wrong with me but i'm not upset it took uh did you did you watch it i mean that's the big question did you watch it yeah i i i watched it i didn't even get up take a bathroom break like i watched the whole game play for play one for moment. And it took 10 guys left on base, errors, a magical catch at the wall, one bad inning by Will who was dealing for them to get a one-run win in Atlanta. And all I wanted was a split. And I thought we're going to come home and win at home and close it out at four. So I'm still in that mindset. And, my goodness, the complaint, you're right,

it's such a small window of Topper's a genius to what is he doing to Bryce is a passionate to Bryce is a moron. I mean, at this point, I have trust and faith in this team and I have trust and faith in this team at home in clutch moments and the pressure of holding down one of the best offenses in MLB history to no hits is just silly and again we hurt ourselves we gave them a game but as far as giving them life they're dead man walking and they're gonna have to come to Cesar Bank Park and they're gonna take these L's and we're gonna move on and move

forward so yes I got confidence in my heart I don't know what the Fed did to me, but I believe in them. I believe we're going to get these wins, and I'm upset, but I'm not crying myself to sleep tonight, Nolo. So hold your head up high. Nolo's going to do what he's got to do. It's the postseason. It's still about October, right? Yeah, it's still October.

So let's go back home and get this cooking and get the job done. I love you guys. I'll talk to you later. Love you. You too, buddy. I actually agree with him. That picked me up a little bit. No, but Jack, I actually do feel that way. I know that

I'm frustrated about the loss and whatnot, and it'll stick with you tonight, but I really do feel confident. I really do. I believe that they are going to win Game 3. I believe that the Braves in this building are not... The Braves are not built for this building. They're not built for this

spot, and they got... What was it? A dot mean we have no story is it elder price elder is going to come in and win game three here and then you got strider that loser in game four like I still am incredibly confident in this team I do think they're going to win this series I just you know it was frustrating and I felt like the frustrating thing for me is I thought they were going to win the series tonight and they didn't yeah like I think I think my thing for me is I thought they were going to win the series tonight, and they didn't. Yeah, I think my frustration point, I think the Phillies win the series. I think they do it in five, if I'm being honest. Oh, buddy.

I think we get a Wheeler start back in Atlanta, and I think me tonight is that my, and my biggest fear is they let that team start believing again. Now, this is obviously in the moment, like last year they had a big lead on San Diego and they blew that. They came back home and it was a wrap. They got pretty much demolished last year in Atlanta in Game 2. Yeah, they got shut out. Right.

And that was a clear, like, you know, we won Game 1. Let's just get back to Sitton's Bank Park. What makes tonight frustrating is obviously 4-0 lead, all the momentum, tight ballpark, a fan base that felt like they were ready to give up on their team and letting them feel something again i think that totally that's the big difference between this loss and losses from last year like i think that padres team was always losers like this team did win the world series a couple years ago they are a team that for a majority of the last couple years has owned our

soul um you know what what made saturday so impressive was how the Phillies took that game from the Braves, and they came out and they had it again. It's not like the Phillies weren't into this game. They were into it. They had it. They had it by the stones, and they let it slip away with just little, little mistakes. So, yeah, come back to the bank.

If you just keep saying Bryce Elder over and over again in my head, I'll be like, okay, we're fine. You know what I mean? If I just keep thinking about Bryce Elder on the mound, it's Bank Park, I'll be okay. And then Strider, great. It's just obviously heading back to the Bank Park up to two chances to close out is a million times better. But it's just obviously heading back to the bank park up to, Oh, two chances to close

out is a, is a million times better, but it's playoff baseball. It's never supposed to be easy. So whatever. Yeah. Again, I like, we all thought they were going to split. We all hope for a split. It just didn't play out the way we want it to. And yet like that, not like that.

Exactly. We woke up a giant sleeping giant, all that stuff. But again, I still believe in this group's resiliency. I believe in their, their, and I thought you saw it. Look, even in the ninth, even after that Austin Riley home run, like they were into it. Like they were on the top step. They believed Bryce was going to score.

They believed that it was going to go through. And like, you know, they didn't look demoralized, you know, which I think was important. I do believe that this group, and Castellanos' quote, we'll hear it coming back, 215-592-9494. Coming back, you're going to hear Nick Castellanos, what he said after the game tonight. And I think that's the mentality. We know that's the mentality this team has.

And I think it's exactly what they need. Like, I do believe him when he says what you're going to hear coming up next. 215-592-9494. It's Fritz. It's Seltzer. It's a special edition of High Hopes Radio and Final Out as we react to a Phillies loss in the postseason. Almost forgot what that felt like. Let's hope we don't do it too much more. We'll continue to react. Take your calls. And coming up next, Nick Castellanos. A message

about the team and to fans after the game. And you're going to like what he has to say. That's coming up next. It's High Ops Radio. We'll be right back. I mean that, you know, that's Nick Castellanos, of course, after the game. And, you know, Fritz, that's what I want to hear. Look, I get it. That was a tough loss tonight. But I honestly believe him when he says that. I believe that that's the mentality of this group. I mean, they have battle diversity. They've been punched in the mouth of this group. I mean, they have battle diversity. They've been punched in the mouth before, and they do seem to bounce back,

and they are a tight group. So I know it was frustrating, but that's the message I want to hear. Yeah, and that felt like a... That felt, and we talk about this a lot on the podcast, just felt like a video yearbook moment. Oh, yeah. You know?

Oh, yeah. That's the one that gets replayed, you know, a tough loss in atlanta uh and and nick cassiano's after the game saying yeah this is what we do like we get punched in the mouth and listen he's right you know this has been a team all year where it's like oh here here's the loss that's gonna kill him here's the loss that's gonna crumble the team you know there's a lot of that early in september this year we're like oh here comes the collapse here comes this like what was me?

Sky is falling. And they have found a way to bounce back each and every time. The big question mark is, because you know this and I know this, you know, momentum is only as good as the next day's starter. It comes down to NOLA. And it's funny, James, because two weeks ago, a week ago, before the playoffs started, it was, you know, people would ask us, you know, what has to happen this postseason?

Who's the biggest X factor? Who's the biggest question mark? Who has to step up if this team's going to go far? And the most overwhelming and obvious answer was Aaron Nola. Well, this is it. Like, first round against a Marlins lineup that is feeble? Not it. A 1-1 series back at Citizens Bank Park where you just lost a gut-wrenching game,

that's a NOLA moment. That's a NOLA start. When you talk about rewriting a season that has been so not Aaron NOLA, it's this start on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park. This is the moment. This is the time where you let me know if you're different or same old Nola. Yeah, it's a great point. Like, we talked so much about that, the idea that Aaron Nola,

after such a frustrating year and potentially his last year in Philly and all that type of stuff, how he has such an opportunity in front of him to really reset his legacy here, to cement his legacy here. And you're right. Like, this is the spot. 1-1 against that offense in our building. Like, it's go time. It's time for Nola to go out and shove.

And look, the one thing I'll say in the end of the phone, it's 215-592-9494. I do think that there is reason for confidence with Nola, not just obviously in his last few outings, but in the reason for his last few outings. You know me. You are the same way. You are even more than me this way, a sucker for a mechanical change.

What? Me? I mean, like, that is a big deal, though. Like, when Nolan struggled like that, and then the way we've seen him pitch the last couple times out, and you hear that he made an adjustment and he figured something out, i do buy into that stuff fritzy yeah well he's he's made a mechanical adjustment that's important also i mean just to fact of the matter his numbers his numbers against the braves at citizens bank park are very good like in his career he has done

well against that braves team at citizens bank park so the mechanical adjustment important keeping the ball down very good the the up tick in in change up usage really good but you know the the x factor on top of that i guess they're the cherry on top you could say is he's been really good in his career against the Braves at home. So you just have to hope he keeps that going because, like, that's, again, tonight a possible, like, you know, knockout blow in a way. It's time for this team to, you know, pick themselves off the mat and get back out there. And that comes down to Aaron Nola. The offense is going to have to do their thing as well, of course.

They're going to have to go out and score runs. But if Aaron Nola goes and is shoved city, it's just going to lift the spirits of that ballpark. If he goes out first inning, one, two, three, bang, right into the dugout, I think that just goes such a long way. Rather than a long first inning inning ballpark gets a little bit tight. And then all of a sudden playing from behind,

go out, get on top early and take care of business. Two, one, five, five, nine, two 94 94.

Let's go back to the phones, go to Nebraska and talk to Lewis. Hey Lou. That was going on there. Nothing much. Lou, what do you got for us? Nebraska.

My man, how you doing? Lou? Yeah, I am. Uh, I'm from Ballot, Kenwood. I'm in a golf tournament right now. I'm a professional golfer.

So in my hotel room as we speak, watching the devastating loss. Oh, no. Sounds horrible. Just got a couple points I want to make. I mean, listen, I know you guys talked about how Wheeler, you know, do you pull him, do you not pull him? I mean, the guy had 10K case, guys, up to the sixth, you know, and ended a fifth. So, I'm like, this guy is, you know, pitching a no-hitter, right?

I mean, you know. Should have been a perfect game at that point still. 100%. So, I feel like you got to ride your ace there. And then we know we have a good bullpen, and I think you leave Alvarado out there just for one more batter, even though Hoffman's been great all season. But, you know, this is tough.

I was just telling my brother here, he's caddying for me, he's like, listen, before this game, if we took a split, we'd be happy, right? Obviously not in this fashion, but I think the guys come out, you know, citizens are going to be rocking absolutely bananas when we come back there. So, you know, I believe Castellanos and what he's talking about, and I think we get the dub in four. I don't think we're going to go back to Atlanta.

Lewis, I love it, and I love that mentality. And, Jack, look, I'm going to make a comparison that's going to be a little frustrating. But, like, think about the 7-0 Phillies game last year at Citizens Bank Park. Like, that felt like a knockout blow, didn't it? It felt like, all right, World Series over. The Houston Astros are cooked. They can't win here.

This is done. And momentum was the next day's starting pitcher. And the reliever's after him. the relievers after him and the series was never the same the same so like i understand how that could be a frustrating loss there but i just i don't think that just because they lost this game that way that it should change too much like it was frustrating and i'm not happy with the way it played out but like they split down there like that was the goal and they did it it. Well, yeah, and I think that as we roll around to Wednesday

morning, I think I'll be there. You know what I mean? I think by Wednesday morning, and I think for a lot of the fan base and the players, the players will probably flush it before we do, but I think by the time that Wednesday rolls around, it's going to be like bleep it. You know what I mean?

1-1, you went down there, you did your job. Now we're back home. Let's go do what we do, pick the team up, and let's get this thing back on track. The one thing is that I'm trying to remember a game that was really like that, like where they were up big. The Padres game sort of in game two. It was just too quick.

They were up 4-0, but it was like the league was going like that. It was two innings, and it was like, all right, well, we're done. The only one. I mean, the Cliff Lee game is the perfect comp. It is. It is. It is. But I'm just trying to think of last year with this team.

You know, the closest game comp is probably game five. Yeah, I suppose so. It's great. Probably game five, which it's the only thing that's making me be like, oh, God. You know, that's what stinks about it. But, yeah, I think by Wednesday I think we wake up. You know, tomorrow is going to be annoying.

Tomorrow is going to be like, why did you do this? Why did you do that? But by Wednesday it's going to be a lot of we split in Atlanta, and that's like an ass-fork But by Wednesday, it's going to be a lot of, we split in Atlanta, and that's like an ask for. You know what it's going to turn into for me, James? It's going to turn into a wins-a-win with the Eagles early in the season. You know what I mean? Where it's like, that's going to be the main talking point.

I get it. Like, I guess this is where I'm at. It's like, I get it. I get it they split in Atlanta. I get it the Eagles are winning games while not playing the prettiest of football. I understand that. It's just the circumstances to which we get to that point is

making it frustrating. The one thing that I guess I'm coming back to with some of the decision making tonight is if you've already committed, and maybe it's pushing him too early and having him face that amount of hitters is just a lot. But keeping Alvarado in in the eighth,

I know a righty is coming up in Ron Antonio. Just keeping him for the rest of the inning, you're saying. Yeah, but he's one of your high leverage guys. He's your best guy. He's like ultimately if you have to choose one reliever to get one out or whatever you want to say, it's Alvarado. It's Alvarado, and it's not like you don't trust him against righties he's someone that you know that has no problem and he was he's he's your closer in a sense if that was the ninth

inning put him on acuna he probably doesn't hit him could acuna take you deep there. Yeah. Albies is better from the right side. Yeah, seed 1-0. But I just – maybe I'm naive. I've just never really been totally afraid of Ozzie Albies. But I just – Alvarado is a guy that you should trust a lot. And while Hoffman – all this is my biggest question with Hoffman down the stretch James was they're putting him in big spots they're putting him in high leverage spots but you just never know until the the lights shine the brightest and even in the

fourth inning that he got out of on Saturday he had to walk first he walked the guy first and made it more tight than he had to comes in in tonight, first battery hits, or first battery faces, he hits. So, you know, I wonder if they start thinking, okay, maybe let's go back to Sir Anthony. But at the same time, that's also a high wire act. You know what this all could come down to? Do they trust Kirk Green? Yeah.

Like, who is the right – if you're ranking the right-handed relievers right now, I mean, Kimbrel no one has faith in. Yeah. Like who is, who is the right, if you're ranking the right hand of relievers right now, I mean, Kimbrell, no one has faith in Sir Anthony, I think is, is building back faith, but it's still a question. Mark Hoffman through two outings been more of a question mark than an

answer. Maybe they try Kirk. Yeah. Look, they're going to have to find someone who's going to get outs in that spot. That's what it comes down to uh i'm just still floored i did not expect jack fritz to make the first eagles reference to this show 215-592 you know what i always say 94-94 that's hey cut that audio

i you will appreciate this so i was watching the game with uh neighbor tommy our good buddy brandon lee gouten and neighbor dan and uh early in the game, Neighbor Tommy started throwing out some Eagles thoughts to Brandon, and I was like, nope. I was like, no, we're not talking Eagles right now. There's a Phillies playoff game going on right now. Shut it down. And I thought of you, and I thought how much you would appreciate that. So that was for you, buddy.

Appreciate it. I got your back. All right, let's go back to the phones. Go to West Philadelphia and talk to Cody. Hey, Cody. Hey, what's up, guys? That was a pretty tough game. But, you know, a couple come back to the phones. Go to West Philadelphia and talk to Cody. Hey, Cody. Hey, what's up, guys? That was a pretty tough game. But, you know, a couple things I wanted to say.

I mean, obviously we weren't – I don't think anyone realistically was expecting us to sweep the Braves. Their team is great. Yeah, it wasn't until we were up 4-0, you know, I think is the thing. And if you read online right now, it feels like at some point in today's game, everyone's attitude changed and we were expecting a sweep, which I think is a little naive. But I think at the end of the day, today's game

comes down to the offense. There were so many missed opportunities. We left so many on base. And I try to avoid advanced baseball statistics, but the expected batting average on that Nick Castellanos... Oh, I can only imagine. It's got to be 820. Yeah, I I try to avoid advanced baseball statistics, but the expected batting average on that Nick Castellano. Oh, I can only imagine. It's got to be 820.

Yeah, I was going to say close to 800. Well, that's making my night worse. I don't blame Harper for running on that. And look, I mean, Castie was really good tonight. Had the two hits, you know, put a drive into that one. Yeah, look, sometimes players make plays. And to Jack's point, point you know guys made plays for rob thompson on saturday and and they didn't tonight yeah i have a tough time you know

swallowing this one because it does feel like we wasted a wheeler start that is really like you can argue that maybe he shouldn't have come out in that inning or you know to do another but at the end of the day it felt like all all the momentum shifted when Trey Turner made that error. The crowd was dead silent. No, it really did, Cody. And Cody, good call. Yeah, Jack, it's one of those things where I'm not going to blame the error

for losing the game because it was one run. It was a dumb moment, but they were up four. And it's different, but it's like the whole Bartman thing with the Cubs where everyone blames Bartman when it's like you still had a lead in that game, and you still had to lose two more games after that loss to actually lose that series. Like, you can't pin it on that moment.

But there are definitely moments that can swing momentum, and that did feel like one of those. Yeah, I guess the one part of that is that, I mean, Wheeler did work his way through it, only allowing the one. It's not like all of a sudden it was like bang, the floodgates open. He got out Riley. And I guess I think we are big on the idea of big momentum pitch. Let's end it there.

And I know I'm going against myself. So if you have Riley, if you have Alvarado ready for the seventh, Alvarado on Olsen, and then a couple of the righties, does that change that inning? Maybe. But at the same point, I will never crush a manager for trusting an ace that was pitching as well as Zach Wheeler was like I just I can't do that I can't I can't be the whole you've been especially not after last year in the world series like we can't speak out both sides our mouth there right this is the like this is the ultimate game and I think that I think the more and more we get away from it

like look at everything that had to go right for the Braves to get back into that baseball game. I mean, a lot of things had to go right. Again, if Riley is a little earlier, that's a freaking lazy fly ball to Marsh. My one criticism is that I would like to have seen what 98 up in the zone looks like against Riley in that spot. But, you know, contrary to that, I mean, Jeff Hoffman's go-to pitch is that slider.

So he made his best pitch in a 3-2 count, and the guy hit it out. You know, it's probably the most, like, that's baseball kind of game, and that's why, you know, it's the most jubilant and and crushing sport of all time but like tonight was just it was just so much of well that's baseball it's just the worst to go through in a moment yeah there was nothing more painful and you know when you add in the fact that you know for seven innings or whatever we're sitting there envisioning 2-0 going back to the bank you know it was to have that ripped away from you in such a painful fashion against a team that we hate.

Like, you know, it doesn't get much worse than that. But again, the Phillies have always lost game twos and bounced back. It's kind of what we do, historically speaking. A crushing game two loss. It's what we do, buddy. And then we bounce back. And look, they are coming back to the bank. That ballpark has been crazy already this run.

Obviously, it was crazy last year. And I do think that Braves team is nervous to come back into that ballpark. So I do think the Phillies have that going for them. Dude, it is actually crazy when you think about it, the amount of game two losses they've had. Like, the 4-0 game in 2011 in game two is obviously the one that sticks out but besides that they've all just they've kind of just gone down in whimpers after winning game one like can you tell me one thing that happened in game two of the 08 world series after winning game one

you know like no i just know they lost it and then they won the next three and we're good i know like i'm just trying to like i'm trying to like a notable game twos like it's pretty much the 4-0 Cliff League game. Yep. Yeah, it's the 4-0 Cliff League game. But they have lost many, many game twos. I mean, they lost multiple in 09, multiple in 08, obviously multiple last season. And they bounced back in almost all those series.

Obviously, the Astros won. Didn't work out. All right, 215-592- 5-9-2, 94-94. One more segment for us to go. We'll continue to take your calls and react to a very frustrating loss down in Atlanta, but the Phillies come back. Tied 1-1 Wednesday night, 5-0-7 down at the bank. We'll get into that coming up as well.

It's Fritz and Seltzer. It's High Hopes Radio on a special day. Hey, fantasy football owners. The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception. Join me and James Coe as we take a deep dive into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster. Wide receivers.

We analyze route running, target share, and all the metrics that matter, giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers. As you prep for your draft, let us give you the coverage you need. Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. You know, you absolutely want to come in and go 2-0, right? But we did our job. You know, we got 1-1, and we're going back home to play 2

in front of our home crowd, and I think we're all looking forward to that. Yeah, look, I know tonight sucked, and it sucked. It sucked, it sucked, it sucked. There's no other way to say it. But, I mean, they split. They are coming home to a place that has been an absolute dominant place for them against a team that was terrified to come in here last year, Fritzy.

I really, like, it sucked. I definitely did not have fun tonight. But I am surprisingly more confident heading into game three after this than I would have expected to be, or than I was, like, right when this game ended tonight. Yeah, well, yeah, it took me 40 minutes. Full disclosure.

You know, I'm pretty, I'm just letting, I'm letting you know, the sports radio listeners know, eventually on the High Hopes feed, that those people know, I really don't handle loss as well. Oh, buddy. I think the vast majority of people who ever heard you talk know that. I don't need you to hit the breaking news sounder. What's the opposite of breaking news?

I just really, like when this team loses it's not great um but but Bryce bleeping elder is not coming in this isn't his bank part that's what I'm saying like this is coming down to this is coming down to the strider starting game four. Oh, you don't say. Which is good for us. You don't say. I will say. It feels like we're getting a little cocky with the Spencer Strider thing. Just because he did strike out nearly 100 more batters than innings pitched this year.

He's pretty good. What's his record against the Phillies in the playoffs? I can't remember. Is it 0-2? 0-2. I'm just checking. I just want to make sure I got that right. So, yeah, it took me 40 minutes. It was a really, really tough game.

Really tough game. But we'll pick ourselves off the mat, get back out there, and when Wednesday rolls around, I will be and you will be absolutely geeked up and ready to go. I believe in you, buddy. I believe in you. It's going to be awesome. We'll be down there.

It's going to be a party. Noel's going to shove. I'm saying it right now. All right, let's go back to the phones. 2-1-5-5-9-2-9-4-9-4. Let's go to Atlanta and talk to our guy, Nick. What up, Nick? Yo, guys.

Long time no talk. I think since last year around this same time, right? Around this time. But I just want to shout out Truist Park for my $100 ticket in the Hank Aaron Terrace in left field. Steal. Riley Homer was a complete no-doubter from there, by the way. Really?

On camera, I was like... See, I thought it was out immediately. Really? Yeah, I did. Well, you know me. I thought the Alvarez home run was a pop-up. I know. And also, Austin Riley, you just never expect him to hit one because,

you know, yeah. I mean, I will speak to the stadium. They weren't just tight, Jack. They were afraid. The whole city was afraid, really. After Freed put 30 pitches in the first and Wheeler struck out the side, like, the outcome felt sort of inevitable. And that's why, like, the loss hurt so much, right?

Like, I can't blame Topper for that decision, like you guys said. Wheeler's dealing, and, you know, you trust him to get Ozuna and Darnot in that spot. It hurts that it was Darnot that hit that homer. It really hurts. I know. But the 10 postseason homeruns. It really hurts in hindsight.

And, you know, I think they left men on base every inning, one through eight is my scorecards, right? Awesome. That's super cool. You kept the book down there? It's good work. I'm looking at Dan Wilson right now. He has the biggest smile on his face.

Dan Wilson, you made his day. Can you burn tonight or what? We'll see what happens with the rest of the series, right? That's a good call. See, Nick, we've got to get Jack where he needs to be right now. Jack's a little down. We've got to bring him back. Yeah, well, you know what, Jack?

I thought we were going to banish the ghosts of Truist Park, but it's still a house of horror as it turns out, right? It's still there. Yeah, it was annoying when – It wasn't even that good. The Riley catch down the third baseline looking eerily similar to the one last year, just not as impressive. Oh, what a catch!

Oh, my God! It's like, come on. Like, enough already. Yeah, well, hopefully we don't have to be back here on Friday, but I got my tickets if need be. So let's get it done in Philly. Love it, Nick. Great call, buddy.

Yeah. Look, that was, you know, it's one of those things, Jack, where as it was playing out as as for you we texted you me and elliot we have our text right and elliot's like you know game over we got this and you and i were both like bro we've seen this loss a thousand times talking to elliot during like it's just it's like watching a child you know what i mean like it's like watching a child. You know what I mean? It's like watching a child who's watching. Figuring something out. Like, oh, how does this work?

Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Now, Elliot is 35, so I don't know if I should have put his age out there, but Elliot is in his mid-30s, really experiencing playoff baseball for the first time. So him being all wide-eyed and like, no, they're going to win, was so cute. It was just so cute. But we knew, and I will say, in the private text thread

that is now being brought out to the public, I do think he's right about the Turner play. Ooh, ooh, look at this. So for what it's worth, a little context, Elliott said that the Turner play was the biggest reason they lost the game. I'm not going that far. Well, that's what he said. I pushed back on that.

But it was a huge just momentum swing and letting that crowd believe for the first time in a while in that game. So from that standpoint, it's one of those plays I think we'll look back on and say, if that happens how does that series play out but really just like tonight was one of those games where after i don't know the fifth inning sixth inning every single button that was pushed just ended up not working out well um and it was a lot of guys who had had really good years that have been pitching well down the stretch here it's not like he put in anyone that was a scrub.

You know what I mean? Like, like Rob Thompson tonight trusted Zach Wheeler, who was pitching phenomenally. He trusted Jose Alvarado, who did his job. He trusted Jeff Hoffman, who is their best right-handed option out of the bullpen heading into the

post season. And, you know, they, they, they just didn't get the job done they they did not get the job done and that stinks but i'm already at the point james where i can't listen to the belly aching for the next couple of days like like let's go i think listen i'm sorry wish

they would have won they should have won they possibly woke up a sleeping giant i get all that but you're telling me a game three at citizens bank park with aaron all on the mound versus bryce elder and i i have to be woe is me mopey can't do it can't do it buddy i'm right there with you and that's the way i feel too and man speaking of mopey and cry babies like it could brace fans just shut up a little bit oh the time off oh like i am so sick of it all right let's squeeze another call let's go to churchville and talk to brian hey bry hey guys how you doing doing good brian what's up man probably probably a stupid question but yeah

we're awesome it's great things are great yeah yeah so the first time talking to you james appreciate your work oh thanks, Brian. Appreciate it. Yeah, so anyway, all right. I'll start off with the positive. I mean, I still think they win the series. I do. I think that the Braves coming to the bank will completely – and it's interesting, Jack, you said you think it might go five.

But I still – and I had them in four to start with. I'm going to stick with that. Same. But my goodness. Yeah, tonight was just it was and I know none of us want to hear it, but it was just you had one of the best. I mean, they didn't score. I forget the first thing they scored, but for like 14, 15 years, it was the six. They got one in the six, two in the seven, two in the eight.

Gotcha. Okay. So they went 14 innings without scoring. And I agree with the last call and what you guys were just talking about. That Turner, I mean, let me say I think the runners in scoring position is the number one reason they lost. Which is what I said too. Yes. But the Turner error error it just it

just gave some life to that stadium and to the team you know and it was just it was it was it was tough it was tough it was tough yeah and bryant thanks for the call man great to talk to you and it was that you know i think that sums it up well like no other way to say it than it was just a it was a tough way to lose a playoff game, man. It stunk. And I think we all kind of went into tonight saying it'd be cool to win. We got Wheeler on the hill. I think we have a real chance.

But if we don't, that's cool. 1-1. We did our job. Like Bryce said, we did our job down there. But then the way it plays out, it leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth. Yeah. I hope they have more of the mindset of, we did our job. That's what Bryce said, man.

I do believe him when he says that. I really do. I would almost treat this as it didn't happen. You know what I mean? Yeah. Pretend it didn't happen. I love that. As best as you can, pretend it didn't happen.

I don't think Trey will be over this game for a while. Yeah. I think this is one that he'll kind of wear for a little bit and hopefully it's not something that that has a carryover effect and he just can get off to a hot start standing on wednesday oh no but um yeah he runs out the shortstop not that the play well yeah and i hope it's one of those games where they're like yeah whatever we did a job you know what i mean like don't don't wear this one too heavily because i think that actually has a a negative effect on you so um yeah yeah yeah tough one but i mean at the same time we're gonna get them wednesday buddy

this is playoff baseball this is playoff we got a playoff series you said it look again it would have been nice to just you know sweep raves and Braves. And they had the look, too. I think that's what it was like. I know. Man, Saturday they go down there, they shut them out, they come out tonight, start hot. I mean, Wheeler, again, I don't think, you know, because of the way it went, I don't think we gave enough, you know,

shine or credit to just how awesome Wheeler was tonight. You know, like, I mean, again, he was unhittable for five innings. Literally unhittable. It was frustrating to see that start not come away with a win as well. Yeah. Fritzy,

we'll be all right, pal. We'll be all right. Don't take it too hard. I know you. You will, but try not to. Go on a walk with Walk in the morning and we'll sort it out Well, yeah So I probably will and then Walk and Jill

are going to Montana for the next week You alone with your thoughts I get to be alone with my baseball thoughts Let's just put this as simple as possible someone check in on jack please you better win games you better dude you better you know who's not gonna be handling it well uh this guy yeah i know um but all right final message here because i guess we're signing off right yes that is correct all right that is correct it's bedtime for your boy.

Oh, hold on. You get to get up for something in the morning? My final message is this. Tonight really sucked, okay? That is obvious. Don't hit the break in News Sounder. Zach Wheeler was great again. They did have the lead.

They blew it. And it's one of those games where if you do look back at the series and you look back i don't know five years from now like well damn it you should not have done that but at the same time bryce freaking elder is not coming in to citizens bank park on wednesday in front of that atmosphere and shutting the Phillies down. That is something that I can promise you. It was a bad night. Flush it.

Don't think about it. Have a good ride home. Hang out. Come back on Wednesday. Sleep this one off. When you wake up Wednesday morning, we got a job to do. It's time to go up 2-1. What Fritz said.

Nailed it. Perfect. Couldn't agree more. Alright, thank you to Dan Wilson doing a great job producing the show. Thank you to everyone who called in. Literally could not do the show without you. If you're on the line now, stay on Jody Mack. Oh, the Mac Man! Hello, Mac Man on baseball. No one knows it better. Tune in.

I will be listening to Jody. You should too. Fritz and I will be back together pre-game for Game 3 Wednesday night. We'll be down at the ballpark. Come say hi to us if you're going to Jody. You should, too. Fritz and I will be back together pregame for Game 3 Wednesday night. We'll be down at the ballpark. Come say hi to us if we're going to the game. I assume we are, aren't we? If not, we'll definitely be doing postgame. Oh, because it's an earlier game.

Of course. Never mind. So we won't be doing pregame. We will be doing postgame Wednesday. My fault. I didn't think about the earlier start. Wednesday postgame, Fritz and I will be down there. Either way, we'll be at the game.

Come say hi. Until then, handle some business, boys. Let's get it done on Wednesday. We'll be back to talk to you then. He's Fritz. I'm Seltzer. Thanks for listening to another edition of High Hopes Radio right here on 94 WIP.