High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Phillies-Marlins Game 1 Victory Postgame Pod

Episode Date: October 4, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies' Game 1 victory over the Marlins live on Sportsradio WIP. 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 BIB 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. Yo, it is a post-game edition of the High Hopes Pod on WIP Jack Fritz, James Seltzer with you. As we come off a somewhat easy Phillies victory as the Phillies handle business 4-1 over the Marlins tonight.

In game one, the Citizens Bank Park was rocking tonight, and it was an honor to get to hang out with national superstar Jack Fritz. Fritzy, what up, pal? That was a weird one. Yeah, you could say that. Didn't see that one coming. No, you did not, huh? Listen, let's get this.

Let's get it out of the way, right? Let's get this out of the way. Yes. Very cool. Shout out to Ravi. Oh, Ravi. I like that. Not Carl Ravitch.

Me and my good close friend, Carl Ravitch, and obviously David Cohen. It's a weird one, but the Phil's won. That's all that matters. And Zach Wheeler was freaking brilliant, man. Zach Wheeler was brilliant. We are broadcasting live from the Deborah Heart and Lung Center broadcast booth. Deborah Heart and Lung Center. The Delaware Valley's only heart hospital.

Get on the line 215-592-9494. React with us as the Phillies tape game won 4-1. 4-1. Sound familiar? Called it on the pregame show. No big deal. To your point about Zach Wheeler, Jason Stark tweeting this out a little bit after his outing.

Zach Wheeler's three game one starts for the Phillies in the postseason the last two years. His first one, six, and a third shutout. His second, seven-inning shutout. His third tonight, 6.2 and one run. That's 20 innings, eight hits, one run. That'll play, buddy. Yeah, I mean, the only time he's been not –

I mean, bad is probably a stretch, but was game two out in the Houston series. I mean, that's the only time that he was kind of shaky. Other than that, he's been freaking unbelievable, and he continues to be one of the best free-to-sign teams he's ever had. I think the best. I mean, five years, $110 million. The guy's a $250 million pitcher. Easy.

I mean, I would argue it's potentially the greatest free agent signing in the history of Philadelphia in terms of the production that he has given you for the price you paid for him. I mean, he has been a stone-cold ace since the moment he walked here and the last two years finally gets the opportunity to do it in the playoffs and doesn't miss a beat, man. Like, without Zach Wheeler tonight, I don't think we're feeling nearly as comfortable watching that game. The Phillies, obviously, first inning, second and third, no outs,

don't convert. You know, if you don't wheeler on the hill, we're feeling it, man. Pretty shaky, dusty night. You think so? Pretty shaky. I mean, gee, how do you not send schwarber there so and worse obviously the harper hold where harper just blast through it well and cassianos and cassie too yeah the schwarber one i will i'll give him a pass on the schwarber one because you

don't want to make the first out of home plate the only thing that i would say is that that should allow turner to get the third and a turner on third one out which is still a win so um definitely a shaky dusty dusty night. But, yeah, it was just like with Zach Wheeler on the mound here with this ballpark, there was times where it was tense. There was times where it was like we need a run just to ease the tension. I thought second and third inning it was like I could feel it, and I don't like that feeling.

I mean, even Elliott felt it. I mean, he just – his first big game, you know. He performed well, though. I was proud of him. He did. He was great under pressure. And the guy just consistently, consistently came through. And, you know, he's a big game guy.

His fastball is back up to 98. I've mentioned this to you during the game. I thought that was the best his sweeper looked all year. He said that after the game as well. It was the best it's felt all year. Talk about finding it at the right time. I know, right? Just unbelievable.

Unbelievable. If they don't get that performance, they probably lose tonight. The offense came through when you needed them. It wasn't a crisp offensive performance. Obviously, they did not hit a home run or anything like that. But big hits and back-breaking hits. And, you know, like Christian Pache is of the world. Castellanos having a moment.

A triple, dude. Casti, are you kiddingache's of the world. Castellanos having a moment. A triple, dude. Casti, are you kidding me? Never a doubt. And obviously, Bome. Stott with that big hit. Bome obviously getting him on the board first. And it's nice that Stott and Bome had those kind of two hits because for the first half of the year, it was those two.

You trusted them the most. While we were waiting for Harper to get going in the power department. Well, yeah, Castellanos was really good. He cooled off there. Turner, obviously, pre-ovation, not the same player. Those two were really, really good in the middle of the lineup and driving in runs, and they kind of got back to that formula tonight. Yeah, and again, I mean, it was one of those games

where you really needed those guys to step up and needed some timely hitting, and really everyone getting involved. We heard Greg Murphy say prior to us on the show there that it was the first time since 2009. And granted, we haven't had that many opportunities, but every starter in the lineup gets a hit tonight. Like everyone hit tonight, everyone getting involved. So a tray looks great.

Trey looked great. I mean, the two hits, the two steals, the walk at the end, you know, just he looks super comfortable. First at bat gets the double, gets it going for For a guy who came here to play in this atmosphere, he certainly lived up to it tonight. Yeah, and I thought the crowd, I mean, just leading into the game. It was awesome, man. Just leading into the game, the pregame introductions,

Reese throwing out the first pitch. Which was perfect. Yes, it was a great decision by the Phillies. It was everything. Again, we talked about transporting ourselves right back to this spot nine months later. It felt just like last year. We were the same people.

Same spot, same people. We were asked by our big sales guy, he's like, do you want to go down to Diamond Club and have dinner or whatever? Nope. Sorry, buddy. We can. This is the spot. So I look forward to

that spot being our spot for the rest of the run and it's time to step on a throat tomorrow like don't let this go to thursday aaron like like you saw what wheeler did go out and do the same you have this stuff to do it um i just i was so i'm so happy that like they didn't come out and look like a totally different team that we'd seen a lot of last postseason and a lot of how they played down the stretch. That's what we've seen. That's what we have seen.

And they showed to be the team that I think we thought they were. Yeah. I mean, they came in and just handled business tonight. I know there were a couple moments. Obviously, Kimbrough, we all kind of were. Oh, my gosh. He did the balk thing again. Jeez, Luis, man. I mean, come come on like and look it's a smart move if if they're if you're tipping your

pitches get them off second base that's fine i get it but it was certainly the most stressful moment in the game but really other than kimbrough it really felt like a handle business night you know look i know that it felt that way last year because it just felt like wow them at home and the home run. They didn't hit a homer tonight. I was trying to think of it. Did they win a game last postseason without hitting a home run? Because even that first one, so sad, that homer, right?

Like, I was trying to think. I don't think they won one last year with that. And if they did, like, it was rare. Well, obviously, no. No, I'm saying a game they won. I don't know. I'm trying to think of it. I couldn't think of one.

So, I mean, to go out there and just get hits when you need it, to handle business, to play good defense, to pitch well. I mean, Thompson's decisions work out. Thompson was great tonight. He was great. He was great. I mean, even the Pache move heading into the game worked out. Pache comes through with a big hit.

And then, dude, I tell you what. Like, regular season, you and I, like, we watch every game. But it's hard to, like, it's like you're not totally breaking down. You're not hanging on every pitch. But here it's like I'm thinking, wow, it was brilliant to put Pache there so that late in the game when you substitute Martian, you can't just bring in a lefty because it goes Marsh, Rojas, Schwarber, Schor, and then two straight righties at the bottom of the lineup.

And you can also take advantage of the three batter rule. They've got Martian. It was the third batter. They couldn't change a pitcher in that spot. Like, that's second-level thinking. And I think he's been really, really good at that. I thought it showed some stones to put Alvarado out there for the second inning. I hate that.

It's been one of the things that I – We've talked about it so much on the podcast. But he put Alvarado out there for a second inning, and I thought it was 100% the correct decision. Like, you didn't have anyone else in that spot that you were really going to trust. He faced one batter. And the thing about where we're at with Alvarado, and that is so massive, is that Alvarado is back to strike one, strike two, strike three, you're out.

Like, he's back to that mindset. And when you have that Alvarado, you have to ride your horse. And he is the bullpen horse. So, again, I thought Rob Thompson was brilliant. And he is the bullpen horse. So again, I thought Rob Thompson was brilliant bringing Hoffman at the right time, even trusting like Kimball for the ninth. I mean, Kimball looks, he's going to be a heart of that. They're up for one. If you can't go to Craig Kimball in that spot,

he's not closing a game for you in the playoffs, right? I mean, you're four, one at home against the Marlins. You have to see if Craig can give it to you there. And, and I'm with you. It was nice to see him trust Jeff Hoffman. We thought he would coming in, but Jeff has never pitched in these spots. He's never been in a big game like this, but we felt so confident with him. Brings him in a massive spot, and he gets the layer out. That was the at-bat of the game in terms of Phillies pitching for Smolenski.

Yeah, and credit to the Phillies from the standpoint tonight of never really letting the Marlins breathe or get a breath of fresh air, except for Josh Bell. I mean, has there – He had the two hardest balls all night. He's the worst. The two hardest baseballs that were hit tonight were hit by Josh Bell. He is the worst.

There is no one worse in the entire world than Josh Bell versus the Phils. It's all this coming. I mean, again, he's always been a Phillies killer. Always. And then he puts on a Marlins uniform. Yeah, it's not good. It's our kryptonite. He's the new conine.

Yeah, he is. He is. And he smoked those balls, man. Oh, he crushed them. He smoked them. I did take them plus 500. I could have used it. That all worked out.

Yeah, I mean, I would have taken a 4-2 win. Yeah, you know, you would have. You predicted it. I did predict 4-2. All right, 215-592-9494. Get on the line now. We're going to come back. We're going to take your calls.

We want to hear from you. If you're driving home from the game, if you're stuck in traffic, if you're at the ballpark tonight, call in 215-592-9494. We'll get to the player of the game coming up next and a whole lot more as we react to a Phillies victory up 1-0, a chance to close it out tomorrow. We'll react when we get back. Get on the line now.

2-1-5, 5-9-2. 94-94. It's Fritz. It's Seltzer. It's WIP. We're coming right back. The 0-1 pitch. Swung on.

Ripped down the left field line. That's going to be a base hit for Castellanos. Harper is off to the races. Around second. He's heading for third. The helmet comes flying off. They're going to wave him to the plate. The relay home.

It's not in time. Wow. Harper scores from first as Castellanos is in at third. And the Phillies take a 4-1 lead. Harper just – so the view that I had was right down the line. And I could see Watham just throwing up the stop sign way early. But I couldn't see left field. So I had no idea where the ball was.

So my hands are on my head. I think – sorry, Bryce, as a base runner. I trust you in every other facet. But as a base runner, I usually don't. He should have gone. Like, Bryce was right. He clearly made it without really even a close play. But Wathen was a tough night for Dusty.

Dusty Fultz? Dusty. It sounds like he's got the yips, man. Yeah. He's got to – because the decision in the first, he's probably hearing it. And then he held Cassidy when he probably would have scored. And then that one, he's seen Bryce a million times get thrown out of the plate. Now, I did not see it because I had a 6'5 guy in front of me.

6'5? He's more like 6'8, I would guess. He was a giant. Yeah, of course. The biggest guy in the ballpark. Hopefully he's not here tomorrow. And hopefully he's not listening on his way home. You ruined the night.

Speaking of Nick Castellanos and why I wanted to play that. So he talked after the game about Hoskins. And he said that he's worn number 17 on the side of his hat all year. And he said, I was fighting back, trying not to cry. He symbolizes Philadelphia more than any of the signees that have come here after the fact. It's just like, get this freaking team a ring, man. Get them a ring.

I love him, man. I love him. Cassianos is turning into a folk hero. All-time Philly guy, dude. It really is. It's something, especially considering how his year went until the playoffs last year and until the playoffs last year and until the defensive plays.

You really could have gone bad for him here, and this guy has completely turned it around. All right, getting to the phones in a sec. Let's get to the player of the game. Brought to you by South Jersey Gas Conserve. Helping customers and the community save energy and money. Visit southjerseygas.com slash conserve. Fritzy, who's the player of the game tonight? Player of the game is Zach Wheeler.

It's as simple as that. Like, the offense, it was kind of mix and match. It wasn't like one guy kind of carried him. Trey had a great night, obviously. But, I mean, Zach Wheeler goes out there and does what you want your ace to do. Also, I think the bullpen. You know, the bullpen was massive. And Jose Alvarado, you know, Rob Thompson going to him early.

Again, like, Alvarado's a guy who's been closing out a lot of games for this team recently. And Thompson's like, yeah, it's cute. But guess what? You're coming in the seventh, and then I'll put you back out there for the eighth. Like, the biggest strength that I think that Rob Thompson possesses as a manager is faith in his guys and trust in his guys. And frankly, that's what made the Marsh thing a little surprising, but I think that all these guys understand it. That's the point.

They root for each other, and they believe in it, and they care about each other. Marsh has done that all year. Yeah, but I think Rob Thompson is just going to be like, trust me, I'll trust you, go out there and do the job. And I thought you saw when Wheeler, when he came out to get Wheeler, I don't know if you noticed this or not, but Zach Wheeler presented him the ball in a way where it was very much like,

I am cool with you coming to get me. That's the feeling I got. I know, look, every single Phillies fan that's watching that is thinking about the World Series right there. It's the first time back in the playoffs, the first time he's pulling Wheeler from a game, and Wheeler still looked good, but I think it obviously was the right call. I thought Wheeler kind of like saying, I'm with you, Skip.

I thought that – I don't know. It looked to me like that was purposeful. So, again, I was blocked by the 6'5 guy, so didn't notice that. But what I did notice was I just – it's a small thing. I know it probably doesn't mean that much, but I just like the way that Bryce Harper caught the last out. And it was like a way it was a very very far it was not like a calm like it was like bang you know that's a win and he's just the way he looks

right now and the way he's the emotion that he had when he crossed on plate like he's dying for this thing i mean he talks in the hype video about like it's all he thinks about is getting a ring and i just i i bryce on broad would be insane now again we still have 12 more to go yep but uh it was it was a great first step no i'm right there with you and again we talked earlier about his reaction when they clinched playoff spy he was the one not celebrating he was the one who sang what you know when they asked him what are you thinking about right now he's like a world series i just want to win it and he knows, what that does for his legacy as a player and all that type of stuff.

It's pretty special. All right, 215-592-9494. Let's get some reaction on the phones. Let's start it off with our guy, Black Grady. What up, pal? Ain't no stopping us now. We on the move. No, no.

What's up, BG? I love you guys so much. By the way, just for people listening, Jack owes me $20. He do big time. I just need to make sure he gets my phone calls and he owes me $20. This is after all radio. You know, everybody knows it's true. I love baseball so much.

I love playoff Phillies baseball with all my heart. Watching the game and just the way you feel, like the way everybody's going to call and talk about, it is a different animal. It is a different beast because baseball is such a beautiful, slow-paced, grind it out, live on every moment kind of game. You know what I'm saying? Like don't you just feel like my heart feels full.

I'm so happy that we are where we are we have to see i i've been trying to hold off on saying this is my favorite team of all time this is my favorite team of all time okay cassie goes out there throws up the ring finger i don't care it's the middle finger it was just like it should have been the middle everything about it and the attitude top to bottom the way that they roll for each other. Like, just the little cut scenes between Reese and Stubbs over there dancing and bopping together. I'm like, that is a vibe, bro. Like, it is good times.

And we went out there. I told you, I told you, Noah, I wasn't nervous. We went out there, did what we needed to do. The one negative thing I want to say is third base coach, get out of the way. Okay? It's the first inning. It's one out. I know Schwab will be rumbly, tumbling, bumbling,

but let him go on down there and take that chance to get us off the right foot. And there's no way you're stopping that sexy, handsome stallion named Bryce Harper. Best looking man in baseball. When he gets to going, oh, he is going. Ain't no stopping. I'm so excited. I'm so happy.

I love you guys. Nolo, you better take my call. Don't get too big for me, brother. I'll talk to you guys. Good night! We got one 12-1 to go! 12-1! Love it! Oh, great call. Yeah, man. And that's the way it felt here. Like, just pure

joy, pure excitement. Just like again, we talked about transporting ourselves back to where we were last year, and we were there. We were right back in it, and it was thrilling. Yeah, it was. And Bryce Harper after the game, I guess, with a huge wry kind of smile, said he didn't pick up Dusty. Uh-huh.

Buddy, yeah. Dusty was throwing his – I'm surprised Dusty didn't tackle him. Yeah, what if he tackled him? I know. I thought about it. Yeah, what if he did? I mean, I think that would be a big story. Yeah, it was wild, man.

And, like, listen, like, obviously when the Eagles get going, it's special around here too. But, like, that's also one home game, you know, and it's one home game once a week. This is – again, we're going to be back here in the same exact spot tomorrow. Yep. And hopefully not Thursday. Nope.

But we're going to be here living and dying with it again. Like, I just – I love playoff baseball, but I hate playoff baseball. It is stressful. It is a stressful experience. Like, you know, again, if I didn't have a 6'5 guy in front of me, it would have been better. But, like, you know, just the pacing back and forth and, like, I just – all I do is talk to myself.

Oh, I know, buddy. I know. And I have to talk to people around me. You got to walk by yourself, do your little thing. Don't like it. Yeah, I know. Don't like yeah and i had to i had to talk to people around walk by yourself do your little don't like it yeah i don't like it i know it's a stressful experience it is it is but again that to owen's point to black gray's point that's what makes it so special is it has those moments it has that build up it has that tension that when good things happen it's this place erupts and it really was i i saw on twitter people uh were tweeting that apparently jeff pass and called it an SEC atmosphere here.

Yeah, most baseball parks are not like this. No, none are. I don't know any like this. Again, and even back in the day, it felt like it didn't quite feel like this. It's been pretty special to be a part of. Let's go back to the phones, go to Elkins Park and talk to Nick. Yo, Nick. What's going on, James?

What's going on, Jack? What's up, Nick? Hey, shout out to my buddy Luke. We were sitting behind home plate, two of my best homies. So just a couple of thoughts on it. It just kind of seemed like the third base coach wasn't getting it right tonight.

It seemed like he should send Schwarber in the first and Castellanos got thrown out at home and then Harper blows the red light like like I I don't know it's it just seems like you know this is what happens when you have an easy 4-1 win bench like let's get on Dusty and he deserved it it was not a great time but yeah yeah yeah um next thing I want to talk about was uh the tension in the ballpark is crazy i mean it's it's it's football like atmosphere i would actually go as far as to say it's kind of like uh european soccer it's it feels almost like hooligan like down there and um one of my buddy's dads was

talking that one of the announcers on the national broadcast actually slipped up and caught on a hot mic that basically he couldn't believe the atmosphere down there and how crazy it was. Wow. I don't know if that was caught on ESPN. He got lucky with that hot mic that he didn't say something worse. Nick, great call. Yeah, look, again, it is an insane atmosphere down here. And what I liked. Now, so on one hand, I was disappointed.

I wanted more like Jesus champs. Yeah, the Jose Jose. And the Jose Jose. Arias ruined it, but that was the moment right there. Like last year with the Braves chop, the Mocs chop. Like this fan base is so good. Like there were some burger chants going. They were getting some stuff going.

But definitely felt like there was more meat on the bone as far as that goes. Well, if we had the – again, if that had just ended the game on the Jose chants, I mean, that's – It would have been perfect. It would have been perfect. But I will say, we were here with Elliot, and Elliot didn't get to go to any of the run last year. And he kept turning to me and being like, wow, man.

He's like, this is even crazier than I thought it was going to be. And I think that it comes through on the TV. I know last year I would go back and kind of watch what it felt like on TV, and it does pop. I understand what Trey Turner was talking about. But, man, being in the building, it's just a completely different thing. Like, it is a communal experience unlike any. 215-592-9494.

Let's go to Montgomery. We'll talk to Mark. Yo, Mark. How's it going, guys? What's up, Mark? Listen, this team gets to City like no team I can remember. In my life, man. I'm right there with you.

I've never seen a team that has embraced the fans in the way that this group has. They take pride in being Philly guys. Like, what is it, 93 Phillies? I'm too young to remember them. But that's probably the last team that, like, this city connected with on that level. You talk about the 17 Eagles, like, we all we got, we all we need. But that was them.

This team plays for us, and I'm just so proud of this team. And they have an unstoppable look like they don't give a bleep about anything they just well yeah Mark it's the we talked about in the pregame show but it's the two more wins thing like they came into this year with a with a a mentality and an ethos saying like two more that's the goal yeah and right now it feels like they are totally locked in on that. Hey, Jack, never a doubt. Never a doubt. Never a doubt. Great call, Mark.

Well, and I'm sure the Braves were thrilled watching the game tonight. Dude, the Braves, they must have had Marlins pom-poms. They were decked out in their teal and black or whatever. Like, you know the Marlins were sitting there living and dying with every pitch or the Braves were in for the Marlins tonight. For sure. Big time. Yeah. They want nothing to do with this yeah they're like well damn it like they're

doing that thing again um it's uh it's great it's great and i can't wait for tomorrow night i mean tomorrow night is like just being able to have nola go out there go kind of again we talked about it on the pod but like change this narrative on your season and have this label as a big game guy. And don't give the Marlins life tomorrow. I think Braxton Garrett's going to do a good job against the Phillies. I've said that before the game. I'll say it now.

Now, obviously, seeing this again, it makes it hard for me to believe that Braxton Garrett's going to be okay, but he's the kind of guy that I think the Phillies are struggling with. So I think they have their work cut out for them. But, like, just don't give this team life. Just don't give this team life. Go out there, step on a throat, and win a series, and we'll see you Saturday. That's exactly right.

Give us an extra night to relax, to prepare for the most important series coming up, hopefully, against Atlanta. And, again, I thought Mark had a good line in there, talking about that we know, but that this team plays for us. It's a good way to phrase it. It does feel like a lot of teams play for themselves, and that's great, but it does feel like this Phillies team really plays for us and cares about us and is in it with us, and that is such a unique thing.

We are broadcasting live from the Deborah Hart and Lung Center broadcast booth, Deborah Hart and Lung Center, the Delaware Valley's only heart hospital. As we react, it's a final, a high hopes edition. Yeah. A final out. We'll continue to take your calls. A little different right now than it was before the game. Just a little.

There is no one here now. It was before the game. And Elliot. Yeah, and Elliot. Our groupie. Our hype man hanging out. I love it. People were banging on the glass.

It was a lot calmer now. I mean, tomorrow with the chance to clinch a series here, this is going to be like the Roman Empire. Yeah, I like it. I like it. Does that make sense? I don't know, but I'm going to go with it. Like a coliseum. Yeah, that's what I mean. Like coming in the coliseum. There you it. Does that make sense? I don't know, but I'm going to go with it. Like a coliseum.

Yeah, that's what I mean. Like coming in the coliseum. There you go. The tigers are growling. Yeah. I'm in on that. It is what it's going to be like. And I told Elliot earlier, I was like, a clincher here is even crazier.

And we have a chance to do it tomorrow night. 215-592-9494. It's a High Hopes edition of Final Out. Jack Fritz, James Seltzer with you. We'll come back. We'll continue to take your calls and react. To a 4-1 Phillies victory as the Phillies on the precipice of winning another series tomorrow.

We'll get into that as well coming up next. It's High Hopes Radio right here on 94 WIP. 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. Kimbrell again takes the sign from JT. Three and two, the payoff pitch. Swing and a ground ball left side. Boehm to his left. Scoops it up. Throws on the run. He got him and the ball game's over. the run he got him and the ball game's over the phillies pitching rules today as they take game one of the wild card series a four to one win over the marlins behind zach wheeler and the bullpen man that was a little scary there oh yeah with kimbrough and i will say and i know he's not

been great since it happened but the welcome to the jungle intro is so cool. I had yet to be in the building for it. I had yet to be in a game where he closed the game and came in with it. If he could be good after it, it would be the coolest thing in sports. I mean, the lights go out, the welcome. It is cool, man. It is cool. But then it was stressful. But ultimately gets the job done.

Didn't end up giving up a run even. So they get it done, the 4-1 victory, just like I predicted. No big deal. He is an all-star. No. Many times over, no less. And he has a long track record of postseason success. Craig Kimbrell.

Sure. They use him all the time. Yep. He's got a ring. I'll give him that. Maybe not have contributed to it, but all right. So this is the final segment for us. Tom Kelly is coming up as we continue.

Ticks! As we continue to react to a 4-1 victory. Let's continue to get some reaction on the phones. Let's go to Downingtown and talk to Chad. Hey, Chad. 12 more wins, Tom! That's right, baby! Man, 12-20 at night.

We're screaming that. Hell yeah, we are. This is how you know the Philz are back. My man, Chad. Oh, man, guys, I really appreciate you bringing up the football atmosphere because I told everyone that would listen to me last year that I know you're not going to believe me, but it is just as loud as a Penn State whiteout inside that building

when the Phillies are playing playoff baseball. Yeah, it's the roar, man. Like, I don't know how to explain it other than the CBP roar. Like, you felt it on the ball in the corner where it's like – a couple, obviously. The Boehm one, the Turner one in the first inning, the Castellanos one where it's just like – it's just a quick rise and then when it crescendos.

There's nothing like it. But you know what else it is, too? It's the relentlessness of this crowd. Like, the two strikes, up, up, up, everyone, foul ball, keep doing it, keep doing it, keep doing it. Like, this crowd just keeps bringing it. That's what I mean. Like, it feels like there's so many spots.

Obviously, the big hits, the home runs, the crescendo. But, like, even just throughout the game, the rally towels, the whole thing, like, it is four hours of insane. Two and a half. Sure. Last year. Yeah, before last year. Yeah, you're right.

Three this time. Yeah. Two hours and 46 if you want to be fair. Yeah. Yeah. But, no, guys, it was electric atmosphere and Cassidy with the ring. Harper just running his behind off on the base path going through stop signs. There's nothing like being in this stadium. And I'm just so happy we get to experience it again tomorrow

and then the rest of this run yeah I love it Chad great call and that is the craziest thing it feels like I could do this once and just be like well that was the coolest thing I ever did cool we get to do it again tomorrow and we have the chance to potentially go on a run and do it a bunch of times this month. Like it's, it's going to be a long month. It could be a long month. It could be a long month.

Uh, for those wondering, my alarm is less than three hours away. So that'll be, that'll be good. We'll make it happen. It'll be good. Two,

one, five, five, nine, two, 94, 94. Let's talk to Aaron in Norristown.

Yo, Aaron. Yo, what's up, buddy? What a game. You just said the word that I was going to call about. The word is relentless.

You know, like going to Eagles games, it's rocking. We were rocking on Sunday. But it's different in baseball because we are literally, if you're the pitcher, you make one mistake, goodbye. You can see it in Lizardo's face in the second inning. He was like, I can't inning he was like i can't throw a ball i can't give these fans an inch we are relentless we just stay in your face then the batters get up and so as impressive as the phillies win was for the phillies i thought

it was not only impressive for the win but to see what they're doing in the opposition every batter that came up they're bitching about the calls we. We are so in the head of the opposing team. And for us to be with the team as one, it's nowhere else in MLB. I mean, we're 23 and 10 in the last 33 games in that building. That's dominant. I mean, you're not... Atlanta better win one of those first two games at home or that series is over. Love it. Aaron, great call. Yeah, and again, it is.

It is. You know, I often throughout my life have thought that the fans really impacting a game is slightly overrated. That, you know, you can be loud and you can create an atmosphere, but to really change the game, like it felt a little far-fetched. It feels like these crowds are actually impacting the outcomes of games. But I was told by Jazz Chisholm that they are built for the bright lights. Didn't he say they'd win in two? Whoops.

Already blew it, Jazz. Yeah, well, and he also said that Luis Arias and Jorge Soler and himself, this is what they're built for? I don't know about that. By the way, I know you nailed your 4-1 prediction. I did. We both thought we'd hate John Birdie after tonight. Yeah.

Struck out, what, three times? Yeah, it was no problem. Never a doubt. Yeah, I know. Very easy. When Zach Wheeler's pitching, really a lot of it feels pretty easy, and it certainly did tonight. Yeah, it's funny, and I hope – no, I'm not going to say it.

I'll wait until the series is over. Okay. Yeah, I can't. Keep it in. Keep it in. Let's take a phone call so we can kind of bust away from that. Yeah, get out of this. Dustin in the Northeast.

What up, Dustin? Dustin! Oh, that was unexpected from Dustin. I thought we could count on Dustin. Let's go to Dan. Yo, Dan. Yo, what's up, guys? I'm coming home from the game.

It's funny you guys are just talking about Jazz Chisholm. I was sitting in section 145, row one, and we were on him the entire night. Love it. When we went up 3-0, he literally looked at us and flipped us the bird. Yes! We officially own real estate in Chisholm's head. Good work, Dan dan from what you guys are talking about like it's real like we're sitting there before the game and like

just looking at the marlins bullpen they're looking up at us and they're like like they've never seen anything like this and you don't think they thought this at marlins park you don't think they don't think it's a similar atmosphere down there i mean yeah a thousand people can really make a lot of noise but he's never been in anything like that, like it was tonight. So, yeah, it's just awesome. It's October baseball, like you guys are saying. There's nothing like it. And, like, the football atmosphere for pitch by pitch is just so much

different in the playoffs. And it was electric tonight. Yeah, Danny, great call. And it really was, man. It really was. Let's put a PSA. Yes. To everyone out there.

Get down to the ballpark. Yeah, man. Let's put a PSA to everyone out there. Get down to the ballpark. Yeah, dude. Like, it's just – and a lot of people – we saw a lot of people, again, a lot of people that we saw during the run last year, we were in the same exact spot. I feel like they were wearing the same exact stuff. I'm wearing the same exact clothes because we don't mess up a good thing. Like, it's just – like, I – it's stressful.

It's a lot yet them winning makes it so much easier and so much better but it's just it's such an amazing amazing time you just it's so hard to replicate in other sports like you can't get this in other sports no it's it's the individual moments the rise to the crowd the the the balls into the gap. Like, that makes baseball baseball. That's why it's the best sport. And, yeah, it's the tension and the whole thing. And, look, I mean, just the fact that we spent the vast majority of this post-game show talking about the crowd and the impact and what it felt like to be here.

No matter how many times you talk about it, it still blows you away. Yeah, it does. And to Jack's point, like, look, I know everyone can't afford certain things and this and that, but if you can afford it, like whatever cost it's worth, it is one of the great live in-person experiences I've had in my life. And every time, every time it delivers. So, all right, Fritzie, final thoughts before we get out of here.

Don't go anywhere. If you're on the line now, I'm sorry we didn't get to you. We got to as many calls as we can. Tom Kelly is going to continue this. Oh, you missed your Philly guy. TK, baby. We saw him. We saw he was firing up down here tonight.

His guy Nola on the hill tomorrow, right? Oh, fake ace. Fake ace. I can't wait to hear about it. We'll see what we get. Yes, that's right. Yeah, so yeah, Teeks will give the proper amount of fired up after tonight's win. That's right.

Teeks does not have to wake up as soon as we do, which is good. Teeks can sleep all day tomorrow. That's right. He's got nothing to do. He's not a father of two. That's right. Teeks does not have to wake up as soon as we do, which is good. Teeks can sleep all day tomorrow. That's right. He's got nothing to do. He's not a father of two. That's right. Yeah, that's true. Oh, wait.

Yes, he is. All right. Any final thoughts before we get out of here? Final thought is, again, like tomorrow you have a chance to just create even more buzz. This place is going to be – if we thought tonight was on fire, you give this crowd a chance to close out a game. No doubt. That they've been told all day, I'm sure, by WIP,

that they're the reason that they keep winning. Yeah, we'll be saying it tomorrow, too. Don't worry. So just go out there and do your job. I thought tonight it wasn't like some unbelievable, like, it wasn't like game three of the World Series, right, where they hit like a million home runs. Yeah, or seven nothing, five homers, whatever it was.

It was a workman's like, go out there, do your job, win a ball game, bang, let's go home. That's what they've been talking all postgame. You know, like, again, there's more great Cassianos quotes. Of course there are. And, you know, just don't take this to Thursday. It's where we've got to come back here. It's a little bit tight.

Just end it tomorrow. Noles go be Noles. And so I don't even have to dream of the idea of Tyler Walker starting. Yeah, close it out tomorrow. That's the only message that matters right now. Enjoy it tonight. It was awesome. And we'll do it again tomorrow, man.

Right back here. Check us out tomorrow. Obviously, all day on WIP we'll be covering the action. Then Fritz and I will be here again for the pregame show and the postgame show. And Elliot will be here too. Elliot will be hanging with us again, our hype man. It's going to be awesome, so stick with us. Keep it here on WIP.

Literally, there's no reason to change your radio. Ever. Ever. Literally ever. The Eagles are 4-0. Yeah, you're right. The Sixers are in Colorado. What?

Yeah, let's go. Listen to Clap Your Hands. All right, yeah, check out the Clap Your Hands pod. I love it. All right. All right, Tom Kelly's coming up next. Thank you to everyone who called in. Thank you to Tucker and Justin back in the studio.

You guys did a great job. Let's close it out tomorrow night, boys. Let's close it out. Thanks for listening to an edition of High Hopes Radio right here on 94 WIP.