High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Phillies-Braves Game 1 Reaction: Is This Real Life?

Episode Date: October 11, 2022

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies winning Game 1 of the NLDS over the Braves. 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

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 presented by Miller Lite. Another Miller Lite for Phil's wins. Playoff, Jack, we just get to the playoffs and all of a sudden we just start winning games now.

Not the easiest of wins today, but let me just start off, and we'll obviously dive in and all, but let me just start off by saying, told you we wanted nick castellanos here jack take your schwarber and castellanos poll and and shove it never doubted nick castellanos i never regretted my very very very strong stance that they had to go out and get him and it was as much for his defense as his offense that's what i've always talked about Jack. How about it buddy? Nick Cascio is not just coming through with big freaking hits making the defensive play of the playoff season of the last 10

years. Unbelievable. I thought there was no chance. No chance as he was running for that ball Jack. Everyone on Twitter is like how is Dalton Guthrie not in? How is Dalton Guthrie not in? Man, how freaking about it Fritzy you know it's a shame we're only gonna have 10 more of these buddy uh 10 more 10 more celebration podcasts uh as we go

on our way to the world series james uh i i i never lied to the high hopes people. And I try to lead them in a path that I think is correct and noble. And as I open this podcast today, I think it's fair to say that we have something special on our hands. Like we have what, first off, we've been waiting forever for, for some good, competent playoff baseball but i think there might be more here james i don't think this run is just going to end in the nlds they went out and they played good crisp solid great baseball uh for you know nine innings until the and the brogdon bullpen stuff everyone else was fine just a few pictures in the pen we got some

issues yeah but for the most part i mean i felt again like i wasn't watching the same team for the first like four or five innings when they got the six one lead i was like this isn't the same team they're playing small ball they're getting clutch hits of two outs they get two outs they string together like four straight hits again i felt like what am i watching um the other team is the team leaving runners on base instead of us yep and and it and the it comes down to nick castellanos in that moment making that play and i just we we talk about this a lot we talk about you know when you kind of realize that you might have something here the castellanos play and ending that game is the first time where it's like we might have something we might have something here yeah and and honestly i've been feeling it over the cardinals series too

and and what it is for me it's it's the vibes with this team it's the culture it's the i don't think we realize you know kind kind of through the season. And cause you don't get that like glimpse into the locker room. You only see what happens during the games. And we saw some of it, but I don't think we realized like how close this group is and how much they love each other. And, you know, we're seeing the, the, you know, just this kind of electric thing with all the men and it's me like, you know, Ranger wearing a. And it's me, like, you know,

Ranger wearing a Castellanos shirt after the game, you know, boom, doing he's my favorite player. Like, you know, like these guys, like it seems like they really do like each other. And I don't think we kind of realized just how close they were. And I think, you know, getting in the way they did is galvanize them

and winning that Cardinals series is galvanize them. And we talked so much on here about how baseball is a game of confidence. It's about believing you're going to go out there and beat the guy you're going. I mean, it's the most mono a mono sport there is. It's you versus a pitcher or pitcher versus you. And that's it. It's like, go.

And this team is brimming with confidence right now. And obviously there's some, you know, bullpen questions. And I, you know, we can question how Topper managed the bullpen. I had some questions about that. But, I mean, Jack, to your point, it does feel like there's a real special kind of energy and electricity, so to speak, with this team where it does feel like,

and I think it goes back to that ninth inning in St. Louis where it was like, oh, man, we can do anything. And now everyone's coming through. I mean, it seems like everyone's already had you know, we can do anything. And now, and now it's, everyone's coming through. I mean, like, it seems like everyone's already had a moment practically, you know, outside of a couple of guys. Yeah. And you're starting to, uh, you're starting to see them realize the potential that we all saw in them

heading into the season. Like they haven't played their best baseball yet. And, and, and, you know, the, the games they won on St. Louis, I said to you on that podcast, like I've seen them lose that game a million times, both of those games, but they came through and they came up in clutch moments. And when you start believing, James, and when you start believing in each other

and you talk about connectivity, like Sirianni, I know this is an Eagles thing, but like Sirianni preaches connectivity and preaches, you know, getting to know each other. That Eagles team is really close. And what made the last couple of years so tough on the Phillies, it felt like they weren't pulling for each other. And it felt like they weren't all one team.

They weren't all together. You'd hear stories of not everyone being on the same page. And this team is the complete opposite. Everyone seems to get along really well. They're dancing in the clubhouse. And when you have the moments like they've had, where you're celebrating Houston, you celebrate after the Cardinals series, you become really close.

And you start thinking that you could do things that you didn't think were possible. And they went down to Atlanta today, a place that has been a house of horrors for them, and they went out and, for the most part, dominated. Besides the ninth inning, they got a little bit hairy, but got very hairy, actually. Yeah, let's say, well, it's funny because i texted jack i like i want to say in like the sixth inning or seventh inning whenever it became seven three and i was like has a seven three ever felt more like a one run lead as you're watching it and ultimately it ended up being a one run lead you know and it was like man you know it just was like of course of

course and we have to talk about the uh maybepen rolls. I think we might need a switch up. Yeah. I mean, look, dude, I mean, let's just forget. I mean, Sir Anthony was unbelievable. Like it's arguably the best he's looked all season in that outing. It was, I mean, unhittable, especially in the spot coming in that first inning, facing the top of the line and then just mowing down the four, five, six guys like no freaking problem.

Alvarado continues to be phenomenal. By the way, potentially, did you see his quote and potentially the quote of the season, the quote of the year? Maybe the quote of many years, his quote, and then Alex Coffey tweeted this out, but he was talking about talking to the Braves dugout, and he said, hey, everybody thinks I want to attack Alvarado, but right now no one can change my mentality.

Nobody. I'm focused. When we come into the game, I come to hit the target. I don't care who's hitting. Ready for this? Strike one, strike two, and good luck. Like, dude, like these two guys, it has to be Alvarado and Sir Anthony at the end of the game. Whatever order you want, I don't care. I feel like I trust either of those guys an equal amount right now.

But, like, I mean, you just have to take Eflin out of that role. You have to. You do. And, you know, got the job done. Yeah, buddy, no doubt. And like we've always said, you know, home runs are rally killers. So shout out to Matt Olson for hitting the home run. Good point.

A nice little single there. Who knows what happens? Exactly right. I mean, that keeps the rally alive. So good job by Matt Olson hitting the ball in the ballpark like a total loser. But yeah. Yeah. Jack, honestly, no difference between that home run and a home run when you're down 13

to 1 to make it 13 to 4. I mean, literally same outcome. Well, some are saying that Matt Olsen is simply a stat patter at this point. You know, more of a me guy. No, but Eflin, listen, it was admirable, you know, the whole idea that he could be a closer, whatever. Like, just say, give me 99 if you're going to be a closer. You know, he's a middle reliever.

I mean, let him just be what he is. He doesn't have overwhelming stuff. I mean, he's still a pitch-to-contact guy. The fastball is already down to, like, what, 93 today, 92? Yeah, there was no movement to it, man. It looked like he was just serving it up there. Well, this is what happens when, I mean, he's not used to pitching on back-to-back days. Uh-huh. Yeah. I'm'm shocked he's a freaking starter you know i mean you're absolutely right

and both alvarado and sir anthony have closed games before they both know what it's like to pitch multiple days in a row i mean this just seems like and and to your point i love it it was a great story we we talked about here we wax poetic about having Eflin Nola close, starting the clincher and him closing out. And then, you know, Eflin closing out the first series win. Like it's poetic. It's awesome. But you also got to win and he's just not as good as those other two guys. And playoff closing matters too much. Right. But sir, I mean, I can't believe what Sir Anthony has's done in his last two two games

it is oh my goodness it is it is absurd um and today was like okay welcome back sir like it's been a while um and it's funny uh i think la told the story of like i guess dave lundquist lundquist was talking to him in the bullpen maybe for the st louis start or st louis uh outing or or at some point and was like, are you okay? And Sir Anthony's like, yeah, I'm fine. And he's like, well, what do you think is going on? And Sir Anthony's like, I don't know, whatever. And Lundquist is like, just go out and throw strikes.

Like, just go out and throw strikes. Let yourself do the talking. And, like, ever since then, like, these last two outings has been, this is what we expected when he came back. And he's been utterly, utterly dominant. So if you're getting this Sir Anthony with the Alvarado, I mean, I know the Robertson to, you know, the calf strain. I was going to get there. I mean, dude.

And look, you know, I guess when you're that age, that happens. But jumping down, he's younger than you. So, I mean, it's yeah, he is younger than me. It's fair. But you know what? I'm not a professional baseball player, Jack. I'm a professional sit on my couch and watch those guys. Well, that's fair.

But would you would you strain your calf from jumping down? Honestly, dude, I wake up every day and I will do things during the day where I will do the most benign thing and it'll be like, oh, why is my groin hurt? That's weird. I didn't really do anything. Yes, that happens. That's what happens as you get older. I'm serious. I just think that A-Rod is calling him the most flexible player in the league.

Yeah! Oh my god, I didn't think about it. It's A-Rod's fault. Oh my god, of course it is. Jack, what a great point by you. It's always A-Rod's fault. But yes, Eflin can be a middle reliever. He can take the Procter and Roll or whatever, take the 6th, 7th, or whatever.

But the back of the bullpen, I want guys back there that can throw Chet and can come in and give me 98 to 100, give me stuff over a location, whatever. And honestly, we talk about mentality and the mentality of being able to close out games. Well, I think Sir Anthony proved that in St. Louis first. I mean, going through Aaron Otto and Goldschmidt in that situation that he did was massive.

And then again today. I mean, that's two innings of pure dominance in big playoff games. So you want to talk about, oh, the mentality changes in the ninth. I get it. But also, his mentality has been pretty good in big, high leverage situations the last two games. So the problem is James is I don't know what happens tomorrow because he

pitched. Well, that's, that's literally, all right, I'm happy you said this. Let me get in this. Cause it's literally my next question.

You see only three team pitches, but you know, he's hasn't been used much on multiple, you know, three days in a row, all type of stuff you've got wheeler. You got no going the next two days. So obviously you're hoping these guys can go deep for you, give you good starts, but, but you know, it's honestly, you know, three days in a row, all type of stuff. You've got Wheeler, you've got Nolan going the next two days. So obviously you're hoping these guys can go deep for you,

give you good starts. But, you know, it's honestly, I mean, Nick Nelson, right? That's the first guy off the bench in the bullpen, so to speak, tomorrow. I mean, we're in a bad spot with him. I mean, a righty. Alvarado pitches. I mean, you can't trust Brogdon. Bilotti can probably go again.

But you're talking about multiple days in a row. I guess you have the off day after that. But, you know, if you get in trouble tomorrow, Nick Nelson, and think about it, Nick Nelson was the guy they would have had to bring in in the ninth if Eflin gets into trouble there, which he did. Can't get out of it, is my point. Lowe's another two base runners or something, and you're like, all right, who do we go to to close out the game?

It's Nick Nelson there. That was my biggest issue with today, and you can lead it into talking about tomorrow as well, but my biggest issue with today was I understand at first, I didn't understand why he didn't bring Cindergard or Gibson in right away when he took Suarez out, but I understand the concept of wanting them to come in in a clean inning, so I can understand trying to get out of that inning and what he had to do there,

but how do you start the next inning with Brogdon? Bring C Cinder guard in there. You know, if, why are these guys on the roster, Jack? What? And again, maybe falter, whoever's not starting game four. And I feel like it's going to be falter, but, but whoever's not starting game four, like why are Gibson and Cinder guard on it on this roster? You're coming at the top of the fourth inning and need a new pitcher, and you can't put one of those two guys in the game. Instead, you kind of mix and match throughout the game, use up all your freaking relievers, and then you're in a situation where they got lucky. They really did. Who comes in? It's Eflin.

If Eflin can't finish that out in some way, you're bringing in Nick Nelson, Cindergard, or Gibson to try and finish that out. You don't think that's a good scenario? I mean, what are we doing here? You got lucky with that. So what do you think of the way Topper manage that? And then like what it means kind of for the next couple of games.

Why I liked that he went for the kill. You know what I mean? Like, I know it's tough. I understand that. But at this point you have a chance to steal a game on the road in Atlanta. Like use your guys that have been relievers before. I think,

I think those guys are here for, for almost mop up duty or Syndergaard. I probably would have used today and see what he's given you. Definitely over Brogdon. Brogdon's been horrible lately. We love Conor Brogdon. He's our dude, but it's been a month since he's looked good. It was so clear not to put him in there. On the midday show today, the question came up,

who do you trust more, Bilotti or Brogdon right now? I was like, Bilotti by a mile. It's just what it is right now, you know? Yeah, and just doesn't look confident out there either, which is, you know, hopefully we didn't. It's just, it's not the right spot for him to bring him in on the road in Atlanta. Like, that's not a good decision to make at this point. But, you know, I probably would have used Cinderguard there.

But the problem with tomorrow, you know, I probably would have used Cinderguard there. But the problem with tomorrow, you know, I think that if they have a lead heading into the ninth, I'm using Sir Anthony. Like, you have a chance to go for a kill. I mean, you go up 2-0 before you come back to Philadelphia. I know that he pitched two innings. It was also just 18 pitches. It was 18 pitches. I know there's warm-ups involved in there. I know he pitched on two innings. It was also just 18 pitches. It was 18 pitches.

I know there's warm-ups involved in there. I know he pitched on Saturday in St. Louis. I understand that, but you have a chance to go for a kill in Atlanta. You've got to take advantage of it. So I would use, hopefully, in a perfect world, Wheeler goes seven tomorrow, and then you can go Alvarado, Sir Anthony for the ninth. If you're down if you're

down by more than two uh then i would you know use baladi again use nick nelson those kind of guys nick nelson that's that spot i agree yeah it's a good point um and look i i think i'm with you i would go for the kill tomorrow like if you can get the kill go for it and look hopefully wheeler just goes out and deals and look how they still. They still game one in Atlanta, man. Exactly. With Rangers Suarez on the mound. They already did it. They already got you one in Atlanta, Jeff.

With Rangers Suarez on the mound who gave him four innings. They went down there and they still gave him one in Atlanta. And we haven't even given four. Yeah, three and whatever. We have a chance, James. We have a chance to go up 2-0 tomorrow before a potential closeout game Friday at Zyzzins Bank Park. I mean,

is there anything more beautiful than that in the entire world? With Jack Fritz in attendance for the first time in his life at a Phillies playoff game. With Mr. October on the mound. So, it is, it is, we, again, buddy, I don't want to get i'm trying not

to get too ahead of myself i'm trying not to get too ahead of myself but there's something brewing here man there is something brewing here that a lot of people didn't think was gonna happen there was a lot of playoffs this playoff that oh they're gonna lose the cardinals i don't know man this is a big payroll with a lot of talent with casty getting hot with with brycey getting hot with sir anthony getting hot with wheeler and nola pitching well in the postseason you don't want to play the phils right now man like it's as simple as that you do not want to play the phils and what a time to be alive yeah and and again i i think you know it's funny that funny because like you know look we've been wrong you know many times many times nope i guess yes maybe

you know i think from time to time we've gotten something wrong but something we were definitely right about was the phillies going in without the pressure like you could tell as soon as they clinch they look like a completely different baseball team, the way they've played, the way they've gone about their business, the vibe, like we talked about, like,

I really do think that drought was weighing on him in September. I think they felt it, man. Like I really do because, you know, once that collapse ended, it was kind of like, all right,

like now let's just go out and play baseball. And they've looked like such a better team. And look, to get into to bryce and cass you know but but just in point of like um you know kind of today and now when another you know they just have dudes who contribute we've talked about the lineup being so great the bottom of the line being so great the guys we trust the most another one edmundo sosa edmundo what a fun name first and foremost what an amazing trade by the way when when they trade by the way what a name trade right jojo romero for edmundo so said like not many one-for-one name trades get much better than that but like i love jojo we all love jojo but he was not a factor on this team and they got a guy who's like a difference maker in the playoffs for them,

Jack, like this dude is a winning baseball player and he makes plays. And you know, that's the kind of stuff that we always talk about. It's such a cliche, but it's a, it's a cliche for a reason. The teams that win it all and teams to get far in the playoffs have dudes

like Edmundo Sosa who, who make big plays in big moments and, and are not the heralded guys, but they're just baseball players who get it done. Yeah, and his defense was great today. Made the clinching play, of course, but he had the big double early in the game, and then he got the sack fly home.

And that's something, you know, for the last month, James, you and I, mostly me, have been tweeting on this podcast about stop playing losing baseball. Because if you haven't realized by this point that playoff baseball is completely different than regular season baseball, it's been so obvious. And it's little things in the playoffs that add up when it comes to winning and affecting the outcome of games. And getting sack flies home and getting runners home from third base and getting runners in from second base, runners in scoring position and I know that Schwarber

tried to bunt today. That was a disaster. Yeah, don't do that, guys. Schwarber, Harper, I know what you're doing, Bryce, and I know it's against Max Fried and you guys are tough lefty, all that, but no, I'd rather you strike out than attempt to bunt and

pop it out or whatever but it's it's the it's the little things that they are doing right now that is making this feel even better is it's it's the little immunososa plays the the obviously the cassianos big play late veerling getting to the ball uh oh that matt veerling play that'll get lost jack because of the cassianos play that'll be the one that we talk about but that matt veerling play, that'll get lost, Jack, because of the Cassianos play. That'll be the one that we talk about. But that Matt Veerling catch on, what was it, Grissom or Harris or whatever, who smoked that ball. Yeah, like Harris. Yeah, he smoked it, and Veerling got an unbelievable jump on it and just kind of had to hop at the last minute and extend.

But that was a really impressive play. Yeah, and they looked locked in. They looked locked in, and we talk about having the weight was lifted off their shoulders when they made the playoffs. Good take by us. I mean, talk about nailing it. But also on the brave side, a reason why I like them today was it was a day game.

They had been off for five days. It's hard to have the same kind of intensity. The tomahawk chop doesn't hit the same when it's not dark out and they don't get the flashlights going and all that. Like, it's not the same. It's not the same feel. I can't believe it's still there, for what it's worth. But, yeah. Whatever, yeah.

But it's like the – it's not – that was a good spot for them to do that. And the Braves, like, they did win a World Series last year. Like, they got over the hump. Like, does this team still have – this is a mistake. I'm not going to say it. I'm not going to say it. Don't say it. Not saying it.

Not saying it. I mean, especially when they pointed out, Jack, and this is freaking unbelievable, and I think it's the exact right thing to say after you just said what you said and almost said what you said. The stat they showed during the broadcast that the Braves did not lose a series or excuse me did not get swept in a series this year the first time in major league baseball in 18 years that that has happened

for a team is on freaking believable they did not get swept this year think about the Phillies got swept by the freaking rangers twice the dive facts like oh the cubs like whatever like all these horrendous things like you know like so like that's a really impressive stat it would be really really dumb to think that because of how today went especially because it almost lost it that the braves are just gonna like oh that's it braves are awesome they're the best team in baseball from June forward, and they did not get swept in a series this year. Yeah. The one thing

that I'm worried about heading into tomorrow, well, I mean, obviously more than one thing, but the one thing is that it feels like when a team scores a bunch of runs in the ninth that it carries over to the next day, especially in series, in playoff series. It's like, oh, we got them, and we had them on the ropes, and we came out.

And, you know, I kind of feel like that they're going to be more ready to go tomorrow. And that's why, you know, it's nice having wheels on the mound to hopefully combat that. But, yeah, I'm not going to say what I wanted to say because I know it's going to come back to bite me. Well, potentially come back to bite me. So I'm not going to say it, but it was a good day to get game one. That's a fact. Yeah. And good day to get game one that's a fact yeah and look just getting game one is massive and you know John John Smoltzman spoke a little bit when he said at the beginning of the broadcast you know gay I always say game one is the most

important game of a five game series it's like yes John unless there's a game five obviously then then that is the most important one of the series but i get your point and look the numbers do trend especially a game one winner on the road i mean that's they are they are statistically in a very good spot but you know we when is that uh stop the phillies from you know not coming through that's like saying that the the most important pitch in baseball is strike one like yeah i know really it's like thanks John. And for what it's worth, I thought Smoltz was terrific. I think him and Joe Davis are... I want to try and get the appropriate number and not be hyperbolic with this,

but I want to make sure it's accurate and right somewhere in the neighborhood of a billion times better than Michael K and A-Rod if I had to put a number on it. I thought Smoltz was terrific today, but that was definitely a, you know, kind of missed on that one. Well, it was watchable. I mean, it was like A-Rod and Michael K.

I thought it was interesting. I learned stuff. I thought it was interesting when he was talking about the mound stuff. I thought it was fascinating talking about the runner at third when Acuna was down there and how that affects a pitcher when he was talking about the shadows at different times of the day and waiting towards later in the day to see what it's like for tomorrow. Hold on. I just thought he had a lot of good points.

Hold on. You don't get the same kind of knowledge when you listen to me talk baseball? We talk baseball almost every day. You don't feel as enlightened? This is such a you thing. I was comparing him to A-Rod and you have to be like, but what about me and my baseball knowledge? You weren't a part of the conversation. what do you have to do well you know he waxing poetically about

john smalls i thought he did a good job i thought he did a good job but i was listening to franski in la so as you should be i again we've been over this i'm streaming and thus i can't pause it and sync it up thanks buddy it's awesome watching this franski call online of the freaking cassianos called the cassianos catch is incredible magical what a call what a call incredible incredible um yeah so yeah listen i i caught i was watching the first couple innings at a buddy of mine just yeah small c small d is doing a pretty good job so but franski and la coming in clutch here at the end was awesome although although i was watching here and uh i was in the studio because i just wanted to be secluded um because i don't like watching with people um and i had the the the the i had the the feed before the tv so like i was

oh no which is which is tough but it was worth it we got a win out of it, and we survived. Yeah, it's a beautiful thing. All right, I want to quickly, Castellanos again, just, I mean, he's looked good. Offensively, a little bit better. Seems a little more comfortable at the plate, and again, that played offensively. I said at the beginning of the playoffs,

and obviously I said I want this guy here, and you're welcome, but I said at the beginning of the playoffs that he had a really unique opportunity in front of him in that he is someone who had a miserably disappointing year after signing a big contract and coming to philly but but he had this amazing opportunity in front of him where if he could just come through in the playoffs and help them make a run and be a part of something fun and give us new highlights jack which i am like getting really excited about the potential for all these that we have now already um and and the more to come um but that you know he can kind of completely change his narrative here as you know most you know if people will love him if he comes through in the playoffs after spending an entire year being this loser.

Yeah, I mean, he can definitely change it around. And it was a good start today. People are going to remember the Castellanos catch more than they'll remember anything he did in the season besides maybe the Salisbury thing. And having that moment, and honestly at the plate, a vintage Castellanos single to make it 6-1, that's the kind of hitter that I thought they were getting.

I was shocked the double got as far as it did. Yeah, it seemed like balls were carrying. It seemed like the Olsen one, too. It seemed like every outfielder day was kind of looking at the ball and being like, oh, I guess that's going further than I thought it was. It happened a few times. Yeah, 100%. But, yeah, again, if you get again you know

if you get bryce back who i think looked um like really good today and that should have been well that was going to be my next question but if you get if you get both of those guys back at the same time i mean that's just it's such a game changer and you get the castellanos that we've seen again for the last decade like castellanos has been one of the best players in baseball for a long time and and he just has not been that guy this year i mean like veerling and and i mean there's a stat when he went out that the right fielders were more productive than him and it's like dalton guthrie and veerling and whatever you know getting the version of cassianos that we've seen for a while at this point which is it's like it's insane and almost like a cheat code in a way

so like i i couldn't be more i couldn't be more thrilled i mean because i believe me i wasn't i wanted to shore her but like i thought there was no shot they were getting castellanos and uh and and the fact that they came through and got him and it was so disappointing it for them to get this version now is such a game changer it makes the line like now now it's not like oh my gosh we got to the fifth spot in the lineup and it's and it's it's castellanos and these next two batters are gonna be shaky before we get to the daycare like now it's now a pitcher's gotta think hold on i gotta go through well schwarber and reese have been shaky um and then and then we have to go to uh you know get through get through jt or a jt and then you got to go to the cassiano or

harper and castellanos and the boom like it just lankens the lineup if he is the castellanos that we've seen for a while oh my god it completely changes everything dude it changes absolutely everything you know the lineup is a completely different thing especially because we keep talking about the fact that it's been you know boom veerling, Vierling, Segura, Stott, you know, those are the guys that we've, that have really been coming through for this team and have already made a difference in Sosa, have made a difference in the playoffs,

made a difference in the regular season. And if you can actually have the big dudes make a difference too, then it's like, man, literally the sky is the limit for this baseball team if that kind of stuff starts happening. To your point, Schwarber and Hoskins have been terrible. What if one of those guys gets going?

And Hoskins, I thought, had at least his best day in a little while, had the double, hit a couple balls hard, I thought. But it is such a massive difference if Castellanos can bring this. And like we talked about at the top of the pot, I mean, confidence breeds confidence. The more he has these moments, the more he has these new spots where he comes through, the more confident he's going to be going up there. You know,

it's like, remember when we were at that, um, the bar in Levittown and, uh, shot Gleason's in Levittown, great place. And we had a bunch of people come watch a game with us and it was awesome. And also Milt Thompson was there and we were talking to Milt Thompson about that, you know, whatever it was, quarter of the season stretch where he batted over.500 for 50 games. He was just, like, talking about what it's like to see the baseball

when you're that confident and you're that locked in. He's like, Jack was like, he's like a beach boy. He's like, yeah, man. He's like, it was really like a beach ball. Like, he was like, seriously, like, that's a thing. And, you know, the more, I mean I mean, cause again, Cassianos is whatever he is. If he's never the three Oh nine 34 Homer guy from last year, like that could certainly be possible.

I think he has a real chance to be back to that guy next year and the playoffs who knows what happens, but like, he's certainly not as bad as he was this year. Like there's no chance he just became that horrible a hitter like overnight like that. Essentially, there's so many other factors that can make sense. So like for him to get to the playoffs and to really kind of turn and and have a change could it's it's believable is my point. He seems like a confidence guy too. Like he seems like a confidence guy when he gets rolling.

He can kind of get hot here. And honestly, for the first time all year, he looked intimidating at the plate at the plate i was like oh this is the guy that i thought i was watching totally because back in back in cincinnati or or chicago before that it was like oh he always gets the big hit like he's the guy that's always gonna have that back-breaking hit and having that that hit today to make it you know six one it was like that's the nick cassianos that i've watched for a while so he finally looked intimidated for the first time in all season. It's a great point, Jack. It was the first time I, like, those last couple times he came to the plate,

it was the first time, and it was such a weird feeling because I was like, I'm actually not expecting you to blow this. Like, I expect you to do something here, and that was like a strange feeling, Jack. Another sign this team's different, buddy. Another sign that things are starting to turn. Nicky castellanos coming around at the right time and another dynamite postseason or a postgame presser too you know they asked them they were like what'd you do when he caught the ball he's like i saw it i went after it and i caught it so you know

he's got his swagger back he's got his swagger back for sure thank god and again that catch like you said you know it will it will go down we will all remember it is the play of the postseason so far i think the gene hit and that catch are probably the two plays we'll remember most as of you know so far and and it's kind of thing where if they go a long way it could really be a special moment that we look back on and be like wow remember remember that play because it's a you know i i i feel i'm fully confident that if that drops it's at least a double maybe a triple and they certainly don't hold on to the league because we know how that was trending just a total changing play and and let's get to it that you've alluded to it multiple times but man the today and and really since the

home run in st louis um the best bryce harper we've seen since he's back from the injury, Jack. Like, he looks, again, talk about someone who looks just way more confident at the plate right now. 100%. And it was the hit in the first inning. You know, I was actually, I was texting with Franzen, and he was like, Bryce. And I was like, dude, I know. Like, he smoked the ball the other way, and it's like, that's the guy, when he is going right, is thinking opposite way. Reese is the same way. A couple guys the other way and it's like that's the guy when he is going right is thinking opposite way uh reese is the same way a couple guys the same way but those two if they're if they're on plane

and they are are thinking right center or left center field for bryce if they are thinking up the middle like that's when you see the best version of those guys and yeah when you get a hanger from miles michaelis uh you can you can deposit it 429 feet or whatever um but in in this in this instance it's like bryce goes opposite way in the first and then goes opposite way later in the game and it just it opened he looked like the bryce harpe we'd seen for a while and frankly i didn't know if we were gonna get that guy back this postseason it kind of felt like they were going to have to go out there and you just hope that Bryce can get it going,

but I wasn't sure he's going to get it going. But now that you add that into the mix with Castellanos into the mix, you're still waiting for Hoskins and Schwarber. The bottom of the line still does their thing. Boehm even looks way better now. And Boehm was pretty good heading into the postseason, but Boehm now, it's like this is – the sack fly was like easy, done, game over. So, yeah, you're starting to see this team reach their potential.

And they weren't going to do it without the MVP being the MVP. And he looks like the MVP again. Yeah, honestly, it's the single biggest thing that could have happened for this team coming into the postseason. Honestly, the two, it's funny. If you could have said, all right, I need two guys to get Cassian's a bonus. I need two guys to get back to who they are for the postseason. You would have said Bryce and Sir Anthony.

Cause you're like, all right, those are the two guys who are playing. So as far away from what they should be and are the most important, you know, in terms of the Delta from the two and and it you know today it certainly looked like they are both back and that is like like you said just you know there's really nothing that could be better for this team and and to your point it's why it feels like there's something special brewing and you know look we we've said it a million times but we say it because it's true it just really matters if you're the hottest team or the best team right now and we've seen it happen so many

times that we're playing the team that happened last year that was an 88 win team an 88 win team they went on be like what 108 win dodger team or 105 win dodger team or whatever in the playoffs like that stuff happens they rolled they rolled because they had that swag and they jock peterson wearing pearls and talking about us being those bleeping dudes or whatever the hell he said. Like, you know, like you felt it with that team. And, and I hate them. I hate them.

That's what's so fun about playing them again, Jack and the playoffs. The first time since 93, I hate them so much. And they keep flashing their fricking extensions that they sign. It's like this Austin Riley mortgages, future of the Braves, Spencer Strider mortgages,

future of the Braves at Ronald Acuna fired his agent because he mortgages future. Ozzie, it's like, what is going to they, like, we've talked about this, but how does this happen, and how do they just bring guys up, and now it's like Michael Harris, like, dude's a freaking stud. What the hell is this? Why do they have these guys? It is, I hate them. I hate them so much, Jack,

and there's nothing I want more in this world than to kick their asses out of the playoffs as the quote-unquote reigning champ. And they are the reigning champ, but I'm going to call it quote-unquote Yeah, Mickey Mouse. It's still Mickey Mouse. Exactly.

100% Mickey Mouse. Exactly. Like, I'm really fired up. I tell you what. I can't believe it. You've never recorded Jack, real quick. We've never recorded a high-oak pot

after a playoff loss. This is crazy. I know. And only 10 more. But, I mean, are you starting to smell it? Smell it? Team of Destiny? Against a Team of Destiny vibe from this Phil's team? Who would have ever thought? You're damn right I am, buddy.

Like, without a doubt. Who would have ever thought that we are the Team of Destiny? Yeah, I've seen Team of Destiny. I've seen other teams beat the Eagles or Team of Destiny. Well, it's a little Phil's run. Might have a little bit of a Phil's run here. I'm watching on my second TV right now

a team from the other coast that's definitely got a vibe going too. But yeah, Philly's Mariners World Series. Can you imagine? Would the world explode? Would the world explode? The Mariners stink.

The Mariners are the only team that have never been in the World Series. The only team they've never been the world series the only franchise they've never been the world series which is pretty crazy sounds miserable I know it really is it really is all right Jericho Lennox has two hits for them today they might really be the Mariners here yeah they jumped on him early too

all right let me go through my notes I think I know by the way I thought I deleted my notes at the very beginning of the pod because I was so excited as I was doing that open. And I looked and I thought my notes were gone and I couldn't find them. And then I found them. So the vibes are good everywhere because I've got tons of stuff. But I think we got to almost all of it.

And I know we're going to get to take back in a sec. Let me see if there's anything else I want to get to before then. By the way, Nick Castellanos, you're welcome for wanting him here. I just want to make sure that was out there. How about Ranger getting through two bases loaded jams early without them getting any runs from him? Not fun, but I'll take it. And I think that's all.

Oh, and how about Bowman Veerling wearing the daycare shirts before the game? Like, just the vibes. The vibes. All right, what do you got in there? Yeah, I mean, the vibes are very high. The Rob rob thompson extension i think honestly was a good timing for it you know it gets them even more excited and the stories of them like hugging topper and then you know it was cool how about just them all tweeting like there were guys i didn't even know had

twitter accounts were tweeting out about topper like every single one was like and i mean geez the quotes jack like obviously the takeaway is like oh yeah they really like topper like every single one was like and i mean geez the quotes jack like obviously the takeaway is like oh yeah they really like topper but the the big takeaway is like they bleeping hated joe gerard like oh my god like like it's not even veiled it's like well we just love the topper really lets us be ourselves and you know it's basically like you know all this basically they make it seem like he was running like a fascist organization or something he was like a dictator or something it's crazy jack yeah and i think i think it was wheeler said something the other day like again there's another quote about the young guys being able to come up and just you know be themselves

and go out there and have fun like maybe there's a reason why these talented guys came up and like we're not good as soon as they reached the major leagues. It was so many over the last couple years. They'd come up, they'd be hot for a week, and then they'd be terrible. The perfect example is Ronald Torres last year. He's playing over Alec Bone, a guy that you drafted to be a cornerstone. And this year, them able to

do this, they definitely did not like Joe Girardiardi i do want to talk about ranger like it's too straight you know he was pretty good um he was pretty good in the the very starts that and i was like okay this is fine but man uh the astro start obviously now that was tough because he's coming off the celebration uh but today again like just looks like he's all over the place um not good command for a guy that is a command guy looks like he's all over the place um not good command for a guy that is a command guy look like he's kind of rushing to the plate a little bit um just never found the arm slot and i don't know what happens like if they do get to the nlds or get

to the nlcs you know who is it depends what falter does in game you know it depends what Falter does in game. You know, it depends what Falter does in game four here. Um, see if it goes five, but I mean, I guess they could bring Wheeler back on short rest potentially, but like theoretically you would have thought Ranger starts game five, but now it's like, you know?

Yeah. So it's definitely, I would have, I would have liked to leave today's start feeling better about Ranger, and obviously we just don't. Now maybe first playoff start jitters, and he's on the road, and there's a lot of momentum behind the team. He doesn't want to be the guy that screws that up.

He still does have the ability to go out on any start and give them seven innings of shutout baseball, but it's going to be something to monitor. If Falter comes out and dominates Saturday in a game four if we'd even need to get to a game four uh that would be one thing um but you know it was definitely a little bit cause for concern they do make the nlcs like this ranger you almost had to put him out there but it wasn't a great start from that standpoint yeah i definitely agree and you have to put him out there certainly for at least one more playoff start.

But yeah, it was ugly, man. I mean, he couldn't throw strikes really until Sir Anthony came in the game. It was like no Phillies pitcher could throw strikes. It was wild. Yeah, it was awful. I mean, it was just straight up awful. There was nothing worse. It was two straight innings where they made it 4-1 and then they made it 6-1.

And immediately the inning was started off with a walk and it's like are you guys kidding me like I don't want to do the whole you know old man yell at a cloud thing or whatever but like you're up by six runs or you're up by four runs like come in and throw strikes like come in do your job throw strikes you're a big leaker let's act like it so

there's a little bit of that today but the fact that sir anthony again you know went locked down and jose alvarado were locked down that is more important than you know the pitchers that probably won't be pitching in high leverage spots going out there and not being great yeah 100 agree all right uh i don't really have like i mean we've pretty much touched on a lot of things yeah there's not a lot of time to like bust out for the take back because it's like we just talk about everything now it's such a weird format we're not used to this no we're not

our third one i know uh but i guess last thing in the take bag even though it wasn't really a big take back at all today um is that dude friday night at citizens bank park i don't know how they would do it but but have you seen you know charlie blackman right like his uh his walk-up song yes obviously you know him but like he has the question like what of course i know but you know his walk-up song where like i forget what you should have said do you know who charlie blackman's walk-ups do you know but you know i'm talking about in colorado like the walk-up song is going and then it like cuts off and the whole crowd sings behind it you know yeah i this sounds vaguely familiar but i can't place it

but it sounds vaguely familiar i mean dancing on my own has this same ability to do that it says in back park on friday where the whole crowd is singing dancing on my own great idea and i did we got to find some way to do it man because. Because it would have one of those moments where you look back and you're like, it would send you chills. Like, I don't want to start producing the Phil's video yearbook, but I feel like I could at this point. And I know what would work. I know what wouldn't work. Like having the whole crowd singing and dancing on my own, like as someone's coming up to bat or as the Phil's win or whatever, like it would be a magical, magical moment that,

that everyone in the stands, I'm pretty sure would just start weeping and the players in the field will be going crazy. I'm just saying we got to find some way to do it. I know it's a quick turnaround because this is a song that no one knew about until a Monday, I think in, in Houston or,

you know, maybe even just Saturday, uh, in, in St. Louis. But I mean, it's, it's just Saturday, uh, in, in St. Louis. But I mean, it's,

it's got some, it's got some potential here. It's got some potential of, of this team song. The city's all behind it. And I need it to, to be working to the mix and citizens bank park on Friday night. Okay.

So I want to preface this by saying, I love everything about what you said. I think you, I think that type of moment would be magical. I want to preface this by saying I love everything about what you said. Thank you. I think that type of moment would be magical. I'm right there with you. I love any kind of real crowd participation where it's choreographed and thought out. Well, there's no one better at that than Philadelphia, too. Exactly.

I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I just wish the song didn't suck so much like that's what well you listen to the wrong version then you didn't you play the robin version of that no so no no no i played the original caleb scott version or whatever and then i played the tiesto remix because everyone let me know and both are trash i have not heard

the robin version but i would bet the robin version is light years better than that one i'm sure because robin's pretty good but like either way the song but I would bet the Robin version is light years better than that one. I'm sure because Robin's pretty good. But like either way, the song sucks. And maybe Robin's version is good. But all I know is the version the Phillies are using, which trust me, 8000 people let me know on Twitter on the midday show is the Caleb Scott Tiesto remix version is is we don't curse on this pod. It's dog bleep. That's all. No, it is trash.

It's something that everyone can easily sing along to, and that's what makes it special. You know? Sweet Caroline's also a bad song, but you know what happens is that everyone comes together and sings it in perfect harmony. Sweet Caroline is light years better than that song. And I'm not even a huge Sweet Caroline fan. It's 10,000 times the song that one is.

I'm just saying. But it doesn't matter when it talks about vibes and singing together. I mean, don't stop believing in terrible songs. I agree with you. No, that point holds. You are correct. It could be, I mean, people sing fight songs. And, you know, obviously we have some good ones here, but not all fight songs are good.

There's dumb stuff that people sing together. I mean, come on. You know, all that matters is the group effort of it. I agree with you. It's a great idea, and I fully support it. I just wish the song didn't suck. That's my take. Well, we had the perfect song, and then they traded Mickey.

So that's on the fills. But we survived, and we move on. And this team is special. And we had talked a lot about this team being different, and it's nice that they actually are different. They actually are different. They're playing different baseball baseball they're playing winning baseball and they believe buddy they believe that they can go into any place and win and it's just it's so

weird after the i don't know i mean decade that we've been through here of just losing baseball to see them do this it's so it's it's just fascinating. They get, they, they've almost flipped a switch James where they're like, you know what? We are pretty good and we can do some damage. And it's just so weird having that confidence in your, in your team again and seeing the city just fall for them. You know, like seeing the city get behind a baseball team is just, it is so special. Um, and they our guys more and more as the days go on here. You know, I mean, obviously we don't want to have Flynn in the closer position anymore. That's fine.

We could use Reese and Schwarber getting high at the top of the lineup. That'd be great. But they're winning baseball games. They're playing smart baseball. They are having fun. You know, Mundo Sosa feels like, you know, there's a photo of him doing something funny every single game. So, you know, they're just, they are, they are developing in front of our eyes. Mundo Sosa feels like there's a photo of him doing something funny every single game.

So, you know, they're just, they are developing in front of our eyes. And I just, I can't wait for tomorrow to see what they do. Yeah, who'd have thunk that the, you know, best baseball we ever saw the Phillies play during the history of this podcast would be the three postseason games that they played when we finally got there. Yeah, just like we all expected. What are the odds? Especially after playing like crap for the majority of September and barely getting anyone excited for the playoffs. I mean, they've been awesome.

And to your point, like you said, for the first two, I'll throw this one into it, too. We had a 7-1 loss earlier this season, let us not forget. And as they mentioned, the Broadcats and the Phillies had two games of seven-run leads that they blew this year. Like, it feels like we lose all three of these games, you know, for the last, you know, the history of this podcast, we lose all three of those games. And, like, in the history of this podcast, whenever we have a podcast to record, it's always like,

oh, they lose it to make the pod more depressing than it should be when things are good. They just keep feeling different, Jack. This whole thing so far feels different. Team of destiny, buddy. Team of destiny vibes. Now win tomorrow. Pretty awesome. Now win tomorrow.

I need Zach Willard to go out and shove. I mean, you need Zach Willard to shove tomorrow after what happened today with the bullpen. Like, you desperately need Zach to bring it tomorrow. It is a massive, massive game. Give me a shutout. Give me a shutout on the road. You know what?

You know what? Be the new Roy Holiday. Throw a perfect game instead of throwing a no-hitter. I mean, that's fair, right? We could end it. End it tomorrow. Step on a throat. End it tomorrow. Step on a throat.

Make it 2-0. Come back to Friday night at Citizen Bank Park for the first time in a decade and have a party. It could be a party on Friday night. I love it so much. I'm so freaking happy.

All right. You got any final thoughts, Fritzy? Man, waiting for 437 tomorrow is going to be absolutely excruciating although I have every year I figure out something that is going to be

important and going to be my superstition we talk about 08 I had the perfect spot perfect chair same thing with the Eagles run I remember you had to have that one spot in the studio the perfect spot, perfect chair, and we got into rhythm. Same thing with the Eagles run. I remember you had to have that one spot in the studio. I remember all this stuff. A perfect spot. Yes, you are very weird about all this.

I'm just saying, the Darren Dalton jersey is 3-0. Oh, buddy. And doing a pregame vibe check video, seeing where everyone's at, it's a perfect 3-0. So we ride tomorrow. You could say recording a playoff game after recording a high hopes pot after a playoff game is a perfect three and oh at this point yep yep and saying hi to james every day that's that's also three and oh so but don't change

anything it's important right now i don't care if you know you haven't showered or whatever yeah it's it's too important right now you going to have to stink for a little bit. Whatever it takes at this point. So the Darren Dalton jersey will be on tomorrow as I expect to do another post-game, post-playoff game win podcast. Yeah, and you're involved tomorrow. I mean, you're part of the team tomorrow.

I know. Producing the game. Big guy. Big game. Well, they know it's a big game. It's the biggest game of your life. It's the biggest game of your life. Well, again, they're calling in the right guy to produce the game. Big guy. Big game. Well, they know it's a big game. The biggest game of your life is the biggest game of your life. Well, again, they're calling in the right guy to produce the game because as someone

that never lost a high school playoff game, I know a thing or two about winning big games. So, you know, they decided what is it, my third game I've produced all year comes in the postseason. Some guys step up, some guys don't. And I'm here to step up tomorrow. I just think Franski and L.Aanski and la needed you yeah for sure that's what i think it is you know they were

like you know what come on guys we need jack you know la's traveling the least jack could do is come in and you know sit down and bring it for us you know what i'm saying yeah roby la well i'm very proud of him for going out there and gutting it out on the road it's pretty cool man it's pretty exciting and it makes it all that much road. It's pretty cool, man. It's pretty exciting, and it makes it all that much more magical and all that type of stuff. All right, we'll be back tomorrow. At some point, again, aforementioned,

Jack has to produce the game, so it might be a later night pod than normal or whatever, but obviously we'll be back. And man, this is awesome. Like, this is really, really, really awesome right now, Jack. This is really, really awesome right now jack this is really really awesome he's for it's himself