High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Phillies-Marlins Game 2 Victory Pod

Episode Date: October 5, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are live from the ballpark, reacting to the Phillies beating the Marlins and moving on to the NLDS. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

Another fact, so jump aboard the 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. Fans are singing along with Bryson Stott's walk-up music. Lefty on lefty, the infield is in. And the pitch to Bryson. Fastball hit in the air, deep toup music. Lefty on lefty. The infield is in. And the pitch to Bryson. Fastball hit in the air.

Deep to right field. Going back is Sanchez. He's going to just watch it go. A grand slam for Bryson Stotts. He has lifted the roof off the building. And the Phillies have opened it up. They're on top seven to nothing. 7-0. Yo! It is a post-game, a clinching edition of High Hopes Radio Final Out.

As you heard, the Stotts slam easily the loudest moment the last two days here. Set it off. Put the game away. Playoff NOLA. Like, Fritzy, we're sitting here covered in beer? Not because we drank any. Went down to the locker room, got a little beer tossed on us. What a night, man.

What a night. We're back. Yeah, pretty special stuff. And so pumped to be here. Phils are back. Phils are back, baby. We're right back to where we were last year. We talked yesterday, and we're basically right back to where we were.

Well, now we're playing the Braves, man. We'll get to the entire game. We'll break it all down. Start home run. Nola big game. Bring me the freaking Braves, man. Bring me that baseball team. They're not coming here and winning.

Go steal one in Atlanta. Get back to this place, and good luck to the rest of the league. I feel very, very confident that the Braves were even more upset that the Phillies won tonight than the Marlins. The Marlins probably knew it was coming. The Braves were like, damn it. We got to go back to that stadium. We got to face this team.

Wheeler in game two down in Atlanta. Chance to steal one. Ranger probably in game one. We'll get to that. But, man, honestly, this might be in terms of what's going on with this stadium right now and the national response to it along with this Braves team and how good they've been all year and the rivalry between these two teams. Jack, this is honestly I think one of the more anticipated MLB playoff series

that I remember in a while. Like, this is legit, legit stuff. Well, and we talked about this a lot leading up to it. Like, we like sports hate. Sports hate is perfectly fine. Oh, buddy. And that is going to be so back in full swing with this Braves team because – Because they're hateable, buddy.

Very hateable. Won the World Series last year. Or won the World Series in 2021. Last year, the Phillies beat them. And now it's like all the World Series last year. Or won the World Series in 2021. Last year the Phillies beat them. And now it's like all the pressure is on them. And there's just no way they're watching this. Like, they were probably watching this series like, damn it. Like, we really have to go back there again.

And it's something that I think it's going to – I've been so jealous of you and the older generation of being able to truly grow up in, like, the 90s NFCs. I talk about that a lot. Like, really getting to dig in and sports hate. Well, that's why you always give me crap for my Dallas hate. It's because I was there for it. Like, I actually – you're like, well, they've never been that good. They were for me, and I hate them.

This has that feel to it. And the Phillies, and what I love about the Phillies, they're not going to be afraid of them. No, no, not at all. Honestly, this team isn't afraid of anyone. It's so funny. We always do the never a doubt joke and all that. Not a joke.

There was never a doubt. Like this entire series, both games, it felt like a fait accompli. It was like, let's get through this so we can face the Braves and we can get to it. And, man, what a thrilling night here at Citizens Bank Park. We talked yesterday and heading into pregame about how it's different here in a clincher, Jack. It's different here in a clincher.

It's different here. It's 100% different here in a clincher. I mean, we felt the pregame, right? I mean, we were sitting here and,, and everyone came up doing the ring finger. A lot of slamming. Fortified. It was able to hold up. That was a great sign.

And just the feeling of this fan base being on the edge of a chance to go play the Braves. They brought it. And the first couple innings, it was like, ah. A little stressful. A little stressful. Because was like, ah. Because we weren't stressed at all before the game. Nope. Which was an odd place to be at. You actually were like, I'm actually uncomfortable with how not stressed I am about this.

Because I just, I had so much faith in this team. They go up 2-0. It's like, all right, probably could have extended there. Braxton Garrett was on the brink of letting that one really, really slip away. And then they went went off man they went off and the Stott home run you know we talk about all the moments from last year and we could rattle them off off the top of our head totally the Stott home run was like the loudest I heard last year Hoskins was number one actually Bedlam was number two.

But I think that's because we were under the roofs here. Yeah, it's different when you're out there. Yeah, without a doubt. And the Statham run, I wanted to make sure I got out and was able to hear the pure. Like my ears were ringing. My ears were freaking ringing, man. When he was rounding third, when he was heading into third and rounding third, the crescendo of the crowd, it was like heading into third and rounding third the like crescendo of the crowd it was like a fever pitch man it was it was insanity in here and I'm with you man I think that

was the third loudest moment in this ballpark of the last two years and and only the second grand slam in Philly's history we all remember Shane in the post season in the post thank you yes very big point big point uh but we all remember Shane like In the postseason. Thank you. Yes, big point, big point. But we all remember Shane. Like, we'll never forget that moment. I mean, we played the audio a zillion times. Like, we got another, and it felt like that. It felt special, and this crowd responded exactly how we expected them to. And look, we can't go any further without talking about Aaron Nola.

I mean, we spent the whole day talking about Aaron Nola, heading into this, you know, what do you expect from him? We were both surprisingly confident in what we get from Aaron Nola, and he was even better than we expected, Jack. We were thinking like six innings, two runs, seven shutout. I mean, I guess seven, yeah, seven shutout because the one came later. Seven shutout for Nola was just, he was awesome today. Yeah, and I don't even feel like he had his best off.

I don't either. I don't either. I thought he was good. And what I liked the most, maybe it was the fourth, fifth, runners first and second. Yeah, the birdie play. I mean, that was a big, big play getting the pickoff at second base. And then a couple double plays helped him too. Yeah.

Back-to-back innings they rolled double plays, which was very, very shocking. Shocking. Shocking. So, yeah, it was like there was a lot of good moments. There was a lot of, like, not stressful moments at all. And the way the ballpark was just fiending, I feel like, for the ending. We were just waiting. We were like, let's go.

They went up 7-0, and it was like, just like, for the ending. We were just waiting. We were like, let's go. They went up 7-0. And it was like, just get me to the end. Like, I want those guys to be in the clubhouse party. Like, I want to fast forward to Saturday so bad, man. Like, I want to be down there. I want to feel it again. I want to see Joe Giglio and Hugh in their damn overalls down because they're going to Atlanta, which is

hilarious. That's amazing. It's it has a chance to, because last year with the Braves, it was like the Phillies had nothing to lose, right? The last year with the Braves, it was house money-ish for the Phillies in a way. Now

it's like these two teams are in lockstep. There's a rivalry, like a real thing. And I know the Braves had an unbelievable year, right? And it's not taking anything away from the Braves. But what makes this so special and so different is how, even when they lost 3-4 here, this team was not like, they went to extras in a couple of those games. Totally.

They battled back. Big home runs. It was a extras in a couple of those games. Totally. They battled back. Big home runs. It was a coin flip in some of those games. Then you had the last game down in Atlanta where Cassianos makes that play, and it's like that's a playoff-type moment. The Phillies will not be afraid of that team. They have good numbers against those guys. Max Freed still banged up.

Which is a big deal. Big deal. Morton's out. Morton's out. Morton's out. And look, I know Spencer Schreider's really talented and all that. I'm way more afraid of Max Freed in a playoff series than I am of Spencer Schreider. Like, that is a big deal, Freed being hurt. And, you know, Bryce Elder, obviously, like, they did well against him here as well.

And, like, obviously, Schreider probably starts game one. Yeah, I think so. Well, especially, I think if I'm the Braves, I'm trying to make sure that... He avoids Philadelphia? Yeah, for it. Wouldn't you? I mean, wouldn't you if you're the Braves?

No, but at the same time, like, if I could request one thing from the baseball guys... Oh, it's Spencer Strider on that mound. Bring me Spencer Strider at Citizens Bank Park with this crowd. And they play the video of him on the screen. No fans. Can you imagine? This place will be in a fever pitch.

It might actually be louder than any of the others. Total fever pitch. And what makes me so proud of this team is that they didn't let last year and just getting in and that being an amazing run take away from what they're doing right now and just being an amazing run, take away from what they're doing right now. And just, like, being accepting of that. Like, they're getting in the postseason, and they're like, we freaking belong. And we deserve to be here.

And, like, it's, again, fast forward to Tuesday. Fast forward to Saturday. Sorry. Fast forward to Saturday. Yes. Okay. I didn't know you were done talking. I didn't know I was done talking either.

But, again, this is all stream of consciousness. I know, buddy. We just had beers dumped on us in the Phil's Clubhouse. We had beers dumped on us in the Phil's Clubhouse because the Phillies won again, and they're celebrating, and it's what they do. And, no, it's a great point, especially the way this crowd and this team, we've talked about it. I mean, it is a real love affair right now.

And the way the team, you know, we had a call last night with Mark in Montgomeryville. I thought I had a great line. He said, this team plays for us. They do. You know, it's not, I've said this many times, but, you know, in sports, it's usually you go and you root for the team and you, you know,

and you cheer them on and you buy the merchandise. You very rarely feel like the team cares about you and that they, that you're a part of it like bryce said it right like the the 26 plus 40 000 uh it's it's really special man and seeing the way this team is laser focused and they are on a mission dude like all right i was legitimately worried about the marlins thing just just full disclosure. Yeah, I wasn't. I know you weren't. That's because you're older and wiser. And you've seen more of them.

Yeah, that was nice. That was like the nicest your old comment I think you've ever given me. Very experienced I would say. And like they just never made it a doubt. And you brought that up earlier, but they never made this close. Like yesterday was tight for a little bit, sure, but like Wheeler was so freaking dominant, it was like,

they're not going to lose this game. There was at no point where I really felt like they were going to lose. There was times where I was like, this is tight. This is not tight. A little tight. But, like – They were never down. They were never down.

And, like, you know, I was happy for Elliott. He saw his first postseason home run. Yeah, he got a couple. He got a couple. He got a big one. I mean, the start home run. Yeah, he got a couple. He got a big one. I mean, the start home run is one that he's going to talk about for a while. Yeah, that was probably one of the coolest live things he's ever seen. I know it was for me.

But just a professional baseball playoff, we belong here kind of win. And that's what we've been begging for. Like, again, last year was a party. Like, getting in and going in that room was a party. This team looks like we belong. Yeah. No, it's a great point. They look like they're on a mission, man.

You know I was such a sucker for the two more wins thing heading into the season. But that's what it feels like. It feels like they are focused on one thing and one thing only and getting there and getting over the hump. And that's all you ever want from a team it is uh it's thrilling and and for it to be this team it's uh it's been really special all right 215-592-9494 we want to get your reaction the Phillies moving on to face the Braves again a

just a workmanlike handle business series just what we always said about this right just and look they are so much better than the Marlins. Like they, to your point, like the Phillies look like they belong and they made the Marlins look like they didn't. And that's impressive. All right.

Two on five, five, nine, two 94, 94. We want to get your reaction. We, we did it last night to start with a win.

Yes. Let's do it again. Let's talk to our guy, black gritty. What about guys? Yes. Let's do it again. Let's talk to our guy, Black Gritty. What up, Bo? Hey, world. And I'm here.

How's it going? Guys, we doing it. We doing it, guys. Baby mama, no, no. Y'all getting beer and champagne thrown up on you. What a time to be alive. What a time to be alive, baby. Didn't see that one coming. No, we were caught off guard.

That's for sure. Hey, look, look. I got a picture of the credentials now. I'm making my own. I'll be down there with y'all next week. Don't worry about it. Can't wait. I got the freaking sauce now, you know.

But, my goodness. Jack, and then you can tell me, Mama, you take pride in me and call it no-lo today. I told you today not to worry about my man coming off of some rest. I said, he's going to give us six, maybe seven clean innings. And what did he do? He went out there and he went to work. Now, it was funky. I mean, the ump was off on some rest. I said, he's going to give us six, maybe seven, clean it. What did he do? He went out there and he went to work. It was funky. I mean, the ump was off on both sides, but I think,

you know what I'm saying, I will take it. Shut that team down. Never a doubt. Not one moment. And my goodness, like, the daycare, we got to upgrade them to, like, middle school or something, boy. And they showed, I can't disrespect these young cats, no, boy. You know what I'm saying? it. I can't disrespect these young cats no more.

You know what I'm saying? It is just a great feeling knowing that they're doing what they're supposed to do. And I'm saying, this is how I want to live my life. You know, Red October

from now until bright skies. That's what we deserve. That's what we deserve. Love you, buddy. And one last thing. I had to turn, because I do, I have a strong sign. I do keep it up loud because the crowd's so crazy.

When he hit that grand slam, I had to turn my speakers. I thought my speakers were going to blow out. The level jumped up so much higher. It was insane. Y'all are so lucky to be there. I love you guys. The National Brothers. Y'all both going national.

I love you guys. Ray October! I love you.. Red October! I love you. You're the best. And to his point there, though, like, I feel very confident saying that a Phillies playoff game right now is the single place I most want to be in the world. Like, there's nothing else I'd rather do. If the world were ending tomorrow, I'd say give me one more Red October game. It's been that special

down here. Yeah, but the good part is is that I don't think this is ending at any time soon. I know, buddy. Not this year. Like this year, I think they're I'm going to stick with what I said this whole time. Don't let the Phils beat the Marlins. You did. You said it. Because the run's coming again. And I hope

Major League Baseball is ready. And it's not just about this year. This is sustainable. These guys coming again. And I hope Major League Baseball is ready. And it's not just about this year. This is sustainable. These guys are sustainable. And, like, I think the way they celebrate and the way they party is something that they yearn for. They win to get there. I agree. I agree.

And I think it's part of why they're so close. And it's part of why they have this culture and why they've bonded together. of why they're so close and it's part of why they've got this culture and why they've you know bonded together and this team has become this this you know a bunch of friends and and like family and stuff and and i think that's such a huge part of it and uh it was it was thrilling to get to see it all right 215-592-9494 we're going to come back you're going to we're going to take your calls we're going to continue to react to the Phillies' clincher tonight as they win the NL Wild Card Series against the Marlins. They will head down to Atlanta Game 1 on Saturday night. Let's go.

Let's go. 215-592-9494. We'll take your calls when we come back. It's Fritz. It's Seltzer. It's High Hopes Radio, a special edition of Final Out. We're coming right back. Hey, fantasy football owners.

The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception. We're coming right back. 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. It is High Hopes Radio, a special edition of Final Out. Fritz and Seltzer reacting to the Phillies taking the series against the Marlins easy. Two zeros. Easy.

Easy. Easy. Like, no problem. Because it's so funny. The Cardinals series last year, it was like incredibly stressful. Dude, I mean, they were down in the ninth inning of game one. Dude, I actually thought game two was more stressful. Yeah, 2-0.

It wasn't like it was like a – It was 2-0, and you had Nola getting out, Goldschmidt and Arenado. And then you had the same exact freaking thing happen with sir anthony later in the game and then you had f1 on the mound that made a bit of a heart attack which it always was and then so it's made the final out i was like oh my this was just again you mentioned it we mentioned it freaking workman like just professional baseball it's all i've been begging for for most of my adult life yep most of your elder stage it's just the greatest literally like the history of our podcast we spent years just saying this

this is all we want and it's thrilling to have it it's even better than i expected jack all right let's get to the player of the game then we'll get the phones player of the game brought to you by south jersey gas committed to providing safe, reliable, affordable natural gas. Make the switch at southjerseygas.com slash lovemyhome. Fritzie, is it just as simple as Aaron Nola, Player of the Game today? That and stop. Yeah. And, I mean, I don't want to give, like, a million players the game.

It's called the player of the game. Yeah, but I don't think – I don't want to leave JT out from – Yeah, no, you're right. He had the big double down the line. That scored the first run. Got it going. And then, I mean, the home run. He almost hit two.

He did, yeah. It was just foul, that one. The fact that we went all season mocking home JT. I know. And, again, his last series before they went to, you know, before they got one on the road, he was really good at home. The Pirates, yeah, he was very good. So the fact that they might have messed around

and let us get good JT at home is another problem for Major League Baseball. And look, JT is clutch, man. I mean, he's had in his two playoff runs some big hits, man. JT is clutch. Who saw that coming? In the post. In the post, of course. But what else matters, right?

Exactly. It's all that matters. Ultimately, what else matters? All right. 2-1- of course. But what else matters, right? Exactly. It's all that matters. Ultimately, what else matters? All right. 215-592-9494. Let's get some calls. I got to meet him last night. So did I.

Yeah, it was great. Deepak, how you doing, buddy? What a pleasure. James, Jack, first off, let me say it was a pleasure to finally get to meet you guys. And Elliot's still there. Elliot, pleasure to meet you as well. He is. He's hanging.

I just got back from game two. And so, you know, I want to start off. This is my first time ever doing postseason baseball. And I loved it. And tonight was real special. I got to be with my dad. So we shared that moment together as a first for both of us. That's so cool, man.

And this team shows you, you know, more and more every day. Right? They don't quit. They don't give up. Right? more and more every day, right? They don't quit. They don't give up, right? They rally behind Scott, who's been struggling to no end over the past month, right? And just to see him hit that grand slam was so, so important, right? And then after he struck out, he's following up that,

to see the fans still rise for him. When he came up to bat for that last at-bat, even when his post-game interview when they put him on the big screen after the game the place went nuts i mean it was again like like so last night i thought the fans reacting to marsh was special like another sign that this fan base is just so in sync with this team the The start, like, semi-standing 0 was just an unbelievable great moment. Like, I just – it's a love affair between the fans and the team. Yeah, it really is.

Absolutely. And two big things, again, with this game is we talked about the dialed-in focus. Noah was always focused. But when he had that start to the fifth inning, and I was like, all right, this is the inning. This is the inning that he blows up, but then he gets it back. And it didn't happen. He gets the double plays.

He doesn't punch out as many guys as he normally does. We noticed that. But the other big note, and correct me if I'm wrong on this one, I think one of the stats from last night's game, despite it being a win, was we were three for 19 with runners in scoring position, something ridiculous like that, and all of a sudden, you know, we're hidden, right? Guys kept getting driven in. I lost count as to what we were for this game, but definitely better than the last game.

So that's wildly important. And lastly, lastly, Jazz Chisholm Jr., if you're listening to this, check yourself. That's right, Deepak. Great call, baby. And, yeah, like, we knew Josh Bell was going to get a hit there and then Jazz could end the series, which was super thrilling. Look what we got on the line here.

I saw multiple do it for Chuck from Mount Airy shirts tonight. Let's talk to our guy. Chuck from Mount Airy. Chuck, what up, buddy? Wave! Come out and play. Bring them on, buddy.

Bring them on. Yeah, man. What's up? What's going on, Chuck? What up, Chuck? What's up, Chuck? My man. Hey, listen, man.

I'm up late right now. I'm excited. I'm ecstatic, man. Yo, listen. This team, the Braves are shaking in their boots right now. You know what I mean? They got diarrhea right now, man. They're not happy, Chuck.

They are not happy. Oh, my. And their fans. Imagine how their fans feel right now. We coming to town. We hot. We hot. You know what?

I'd rather have it this way, to be honest with you. Come out the wild card hot. You know what I mean? And those guys have been resting. Come out the wild card hot, you know what I mean? And those guys have been resting. Come out the wild card hot, and let's get this thing popping, man. Atlanta, we coming, man. We coming for you. And to be honest with you, I think this series, you know,

I don't want to get overconfident. I think we win this series, man, 4-2. It's a five-game series, Chuckie. Oh, it's a five-game series. 3-1? 3-1 or 3-2. Yeah, I figured it. I'll take 3-1. 3-1. I'll take 3-2. It's a five-game series, Chucky. Oh, it's a five-game series. 3-1? 3-1 or 3-2. Yeah, I figured it. I'd say 3-1.

3-1. I love it. I'd say 3-1. I mean, you get Bill and Nola doing what they're doing, man. Yep. And you got the bat. You got this power. You know what I mean?

And then your defense is mightily improved from last year because you got, you know, you got, what's his name, Rojas out there now, man. Then you got a solidified first baseman, the wizard. I call him Baseball Wizard. You know who that is. Mr. Bryce Harper himself. You know what I mean? Solidified there, the first base. This thing going to get better and better, man.

And let me tell you something. The best is yet to come. Because I tell you one thing, Bryce ain't show his ass this series. But as the deeper rounds come, that's when Bryce comes out to play, baby. So let's go, Phil, baby. Love it, Chuck. Chuck, I'll see you on the break. Yeah, and this was like – this just wasn't a Bryce series.

I'm not freaking out. It's a ton of lefties he faced. It's a ton of sliders. And this was not one of those series that you're like, Bryce has to win us. This was on the right-handed bats. Yeah, and they did it. And they came through.

I mean, Boehm had a really good series. JT had a monster series. Obviously, Cassianos had a big game one. Johanro was the big game one at bat. Pache had hits. Like, the righties came through and obviously stopped today with the biggest of hits. Yep.

But, look, I mean, think about it this way. Like, Bryce Harper didn't do anything, and they won two games, like, going away. Yep. There's no problem. And Schwab had the double tonight, which is good. Yeah, and he had the single in the game yesterday. Yeah, but, like, they're not going to face another team that has that amount of lefties that they can throw at the Phillies.

And that was one of my big concerns heading into the series. So they completely neutralized that. And the thing about the Braves, like, who are they starting? Who are the Braves starting in this series? Yeah. I mean, like, Bryce Elder. Like, is Bryce Elder going to come in this building? Like, is that what we're talking about here?

If – Dodd? Like, are we seeing Dodd in a playoff start? No shot. No shot. If Ranger can just go down there, steal game one, and then you have wheels in the mound up 1-0. Well, again, we keep talking about this thing, right?

How eerily similar it is. The beats, the moments of last year, this year. Like Ranger game one in Atlanta last year, same thing. No, we think it's going to be Ranger, right? We think. We think. Listen, I'm not ruling out the idea that it could be Chris Sanchez. Well, I thought the fact that Ranger, he didn't warm up,

but Ranger did head out to the bullpen at a point tonight was an interesting thing. I think it could also, yeah, it's going to be fascinating. Like, I mean, I would be fine with Sanchez. Yeah. I would go Ranger. I would go Ranger. But I would be, I mean, Sanchez has been really good. As long as it's not Taiwan, you know, we're in good shape.

Yep. 215-592-9-4-9-4. It's good. Dining time. Talk to Chad. Yo, Chad. 11 more wins, Tompa! Let's go!

Let's go, baby! Love it. Guys, guys. Yes. So that ending with you guys today was special. It was great hanging, Chad. That was so much fun, buddy. So one thing I want to get out here is, James, I was talking to you about this.

One thing that's just so much different from this team and last year's team, opposed to what we saw for the last 10 years before that, is that sequence or that sequence with John Birdie being a complete dunce on the base pass with the bat-to-bat batting champ in two different leagues on deck getting himself picked off, followed by we just put two runs on them immediately. You don't see that from the Philliesies uh before last year and and now we just we seem to do those types of things all the time yeah it's a great point and like i was so

sure that we were going to be losing one nothing because luis rias was going to hit an rbi single i was like i was like it's happening like that john birdie scoring luis rias going to drive him in and then birdie did we were wrong about John Birdie being a problem. Which was a dumber decision? Birdie trying to take third there or Trent Grisham trying to bunt in the – Oh, Trent Grisham still. I mean, that was – The dumbest bunt I've seen in my entire life.

I'm pro-bunt. I'm pro-bunt. Yeah, no. Chad, it was, again, to the point we keep making, you know, the Phillies are all of a sudden a team that just handles business they're just win man they're just a bunch of winners and they finally surpassed the sixers is the best well as a well-run organization oh yeah but no this this team's so much fun guys and stats home run oh i i think my jaw is still on the ground and i i truly

ascended up into the air my soul soul is somewhere above Philadelphia right now. I love it, Chad. Great call. Great hanging with you. And that is one of those things where, you know, you're at the game and you get to see it live and all that. Like, I very rarely go back and be like, I have to watch the TV copy of this.

I have to see what it looks like. Like, I can't wait to go home and watch that Stott Homer. It's the first thing I'm going to do. I can't wait to hear home and watch that Stott Homer. It's the first thing I'm going to do. I can't wait to hear the pop. Yeah, exactly. Because the pop here was very, very noticeable. Emily said – so my wife, we live in Point Breeze, which is about eight minutes from here, a couple miles.

She said – like, she could hear the stadium from our house sometimes. She's like, it was loud. Yeah. Like, she's, like, aggressively loud. Not on TV. Outside our window. Yeah. In South Philly. Like, the best. She's aggressively loud. Not on TV. Outside our window. In South Philly. The best.

I love this place. I love this place. I love this team. I love playoff baseball. It was very stress-free, which is odd. They took care of business against a Marlon Steen that is feisty. Again, we're heading into Phil's Braves, man. Like, we're getting a rematch of last year,

and we have a chance to, like, really get in their head. Like, really get in their head. And I just wish I had a live cam on the players of the Braves. Me too. Watching the game. Watching what this was like. Head-tangling. Because, you know, they're just like, again, I said, the game. Watching what this was like. Heads hanging. Hearing the pop.

Because you know they're just like, again, I said, damn it. Yes, we know it. Like, snicker. Like, it is so rare that heading into the playoffs, an opposing manager will be like, yeah, we don't want to face that team. Like, they never do that. What a coward. Exactly. What a coward.

But that shows, like, for him to say that shows just how in their heads they are having simulated games. That wasn't for the Marlins. That was for this series. I've never seen a team hold simulated games where they add fans in just because they have to try to get ready for this environment, which they're not going to be able to do because they play in a minor league stadium with Mickey Mouse fans. Yes.

Well said. Like, literally, well said. My brother actually just sent this to me. Right now for game, they are $100 tickets for standing room in Atlanta for game one. Game three in Philadelphia, $288. Yep. So, I mean,, $288. Yep. So, I mean, it shows you right there.

Yeah. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94. We're flying down for game five if there is one. Oh, buddy, are we? Are we? And by the way, you know, just saying, the Phils have never lost to the Braves in the playoffs. That is a factual statement.

Sure. It's true. It's true. It's true. 2-0. I mean, the physical mistake is smart. 2. It's true. It's true. It's true. 2-0. 2-0. 2-0.

2-1-5-5-9-2. 94-94. We'll come back. We'll continue to take your calls as we continue to react to a thrilling, thrilling night of Phillies baseball down at Citizens Bank Park. It's Fritz at Seltzer. It's High Hopes Radio on a special edition of Final Out. We're coming right back. Yeah, 150itz at Seltzer. It's High Hopes Radio on a special edition of Final Out. We're coming right back.

Yeah, 150-92 thirds coming in. The 2-2. Swung on and blasted deep to left field. It's going to be long gone. JT with a solo home run. His second extra base hit of the night and the Phillies lead it 3-0. And that was just an awesome moment. Elliott Shore Parks' first playoff home run of the night. What a special moment. He was weeping. He was waiting for it. I went to the game last night. Of course, no home runs.

They scored two runs. We're waiting, waiting. And then, obviously, the JT one, and then the sod slam. See, what Elliott and a lot of people experienced yesterday was a tense playoff game. Yep. What Elliot experienced tonight was a freaking party. Was a party, which is what we said, which is what we expected.

I thought it was going to be a tight game. And Braxton Garrett, I thought. Shout out to our guy Scope, David Skopinich, told us before the game, 7-2 final was very close, felt very confident. He's a very confident man. Love him. Very confident man, for sure. Very confident man for sure. All right.

Dave, you ran now exits the building. I am a huge Davey Ram fan. I love Davey. Shout out to Davey Ram. No harder working person in this business. Davey, he'll be there as early as I am tomorrow. Yeah, for sure. All right.

Is that a smile? I think. What? What? No. He's an objective big J. Yeah. Yeah.

Just root for a good story. I love it. All right. Back to the phones in a sec. There's one other thing J. Yeah, yeah. Just rooting for a good story. I love it. All right, back to the phones in a sec. There's one other thing I wanted to get to. Yes. Because we talked about it coming in, and during the game, once they got the 7-0 lead, you and I were both on the exact same page. We were like, hey, kind of feels like a perfect spot to get Orion Kirk

during his first playoff experience, see what the kid has in a very low-leverage situation. Kid had something, Fritzy. Yeah, and before we get to Orion real quick, I do want to bring up the worst managerial decision of the postseason so far. Skippy. And that is Skip Schumacher giving three innings of David Robertson. What?

In a do-or-die game? It's crazy. Like, hey, Skip, today makes up for 2011, and you driving in the only run in game five. That's a good call. I forgot he was the one who drove in the run. Sickening, right? Yeah.

I almost cursed. I heard it. How did a team with Skip Schumacher batting second beat that Phillies team in a five-game series? It's outrageous. No negative vibes tonight. Orion looked great. And what I loved about what Orion did tonight,

it was fastball and then the slider. I thought in his last two appearances, it was so slider heavy that you know big league hitters are going to be able to sit on that, and they're going to be able to go down and golf around the ballpark when you're not expecting it. He was very fastball heavy tonight. It was 98, 97, dotting the outside corner, and then he

worked the slider off of that, and when he worked the slider off of that... It's like unhittable, man. I mean... It's actually unhittable. The swing that, I believe it was Jesus Sanchez took. The second out, the strikeout second was lost. No chance. He had no chance. Absolutely feeble.

Yeah. That pitch just moved. Disgusting. Disgusting. So that was – I have been of the belief of, you know, I'm a little bit worried. He's a young kid. Like big spots.

I still trust Sir Anthony. That was a massive step in the right direction yeah and it was just easy like for no problem it's one two three bang like a kid as young as him yes five levels in one year to just come into a freaking playoff game a jungle like this and be like one two three bang easy out with a strikeout it's money it really is they they've got something. Yeah, and, I mean, that's the thing is he is a weapon, man. And, you know, young and hasn't been in big spots and all that stuff.

But when he's on, I mean, he's one of the most talented pitchers in that bullpen. So it is. Well, but at the same time, the whole bullpen. They're talented. I mean, think about it. The bullpen was lights out other than Soto giving up the run. Like, we didn't even see Sir Anthony Estrom this series. Didn't see Sir Anthony Estrom.

Hoffman faced one batter. One batter. Kimbrel didn't have to go tonight. Yep. Alvarado, he's warming up. But he didn't have to go. Yeah. Saturday.

Saturday, buddy. Saturday. Get us to Saturday. 215-592-9494. Let's take a couple more calls before we get out of here. Let's go to Narberth and talk to Blake. Hey, Blake. Hey, Jack, James.

Nice to meet you. I'm sure you have a ton of callers. I'm going to make my points quick. I know we had some anxiety. Good to talk to you, buddy. Yeah, good to talk to you, too. I know we all have some anxiety going into this series because it's the Marlins, but it was a complete game today from Noah to the offense exploding,

and it was great to see Scott get a hit off a tough lefty. But also that Marlins lineup, I mean, it's made to play in that ballpark. It wasn't going to work on prime time at the Bank Park. But I want to talk about the Braves, and I really think the Phillies can win this series. Look at how teams win in the playoffs in the 21st century specifically. It's pitching, and the Braves have pitching problems. Max Fried, in that loser scrimmage thing, he was pitching with a band-aid on a majority of the time, which is not going to be allowed in the playoffs.

He gave up home runs to Kevin Pillar and Sean Murphy, and I know that Spencer Strider has owned the Phillies historically in the regular season, but is he a big-time pitcher? Is he a big-time pitcher? I don't know. You saw that quote he said about not playing in front of fans. And in this season overall, he has a 4-6-8 ERA in Truist Park. So I know the Phillies haven't hit him well, but Aaron Noah also struggled against the Marlins this season.

So I think the numbers can show that if the Phillies can do what the rest of the league has done against Spencer Strider, okay, he's going to get a strikeout. But if you can get hits like other teams have against Strider, if ERA is up there for a reason, he's going to be beatable if the Phillies

can just do what other teams have done. I think this team is going in the right direction. They are a special team. I love what the group did tonight. I love the celebrations. As JT said, 11 more toppers, so let's go Phillies, and there's a special thing going on. Great call, great information,

and I agree with a lot of what you said, too. And, you know, the Schreider thing, it's like, yeah, he gets a lot of strikeouts. Yeah, you watch him, it looks nasty. He did have an ERA in the high threes this year. You know, it was like 3-7-74, 3.6, something like that. It's not like he was lights out. No.

Now the one thing is he was really good against good teams and really bad against bad teams. That's weird. The Tigers hit him around pretty well. Pirates hit him around pretty well. So maybe he gets up against the better teams. But, I mean, the way it turns out he probably goes one and so if that's the thing is if he goes one then he's four right then he lines up for four that's here they're not letting him play here they're then

he's gonna be two and five or or it'll be one and five and they space him out and like i just i don't see it look there's i there's nothing I want more. It's the single thing – I want them to win the series, and then the next step down is I want Spencer Strider on that freaking mound. I want him here. Desperately. Yes. I just – if you're the Braves, how can you do it?

I mean, like, fire Snicker on the spot if you let that guy pitch. Here's why. Here's why. Because he's one of your studs and you've got to trust your studs. Yeah. How about that? That's true. How about that?

Get him out here. It's a great idea. No, it is a good point, though. Look, if Freak can't go, I mean, who else? You have to start Strider in game one. Of course. Dude, they're starting Strider in game one. And he's going to pitch here in game four.

Let's go! There will be, again, there's been hype. There's been excitement. There's been World Series games here in the last year. Spencer Strider on that mound again is going to have this place melting. Just melting. And hopefully the Phillies use it to their advantage, play the video, and be classless.

Yep. Like, be classless. It's the Braves. Hey, you congratulate him for winning the division. We're good. We did it. I was just going to bring that up. Yeah, we did it.

I am now of the belief they did that on purpose. Oh, like to get in their heads a little bit? They did that on purpose. I like it. Because they wanted the image of Castellanos looking at it. I like that. And they wanted the Braves to let their guard down. I love that.

I love that theory. And again, we keep saying it, but there is no way the Braves are looking forward to playing this Phillies team. I mean, they're just not, and they are certainly not looking forward to coming in the stadium. And as intense as it was the last two games, and it really was, and obviously the Stott Slam was a crescendo in a moment, like it's going to be insane in here on Wednesday, especially if the Phillies can take

one of two. All we need is one of those first two games, and they come back 1-1. This crowd will be out for blood. And who's starting? I know, right? Who's starting for the Braves? Yeah. Like, Bryce Elder.

Charlie's not pitching. Max Fried will probably try to go. Yeah. But it's much like Strider last year. Like, are you sure you want him out there? Strider, okay. Strider's great. I mean, like, who's coming here?

Yeah, and it's not like their bullpen is lights out like it used to be. Like, they got some guys, but it's not – There's no Matic walking through that door. Yeah, it's not special. Kyle Wright game three probably? Kyle Wright. I forgot about Kyle Wright. Yeah, sure.

Kyle Wright. Yeah. I mean, again, and the Phillies are going to be able to set up that wheeler in two and five. I mean, it is – look, you couldn't – if you have to play the Braves or the 105 or whatever win team, you know, quote, unquote, best team in baseball this year, like, it could not lay out better for the Phillies. Not at all.

Not at all. Let's go. Let's go. I'm starting to believe. All right. I just want everyone to know they're beating the Braves. They're beating the Braves. They're beating the Braves.

I have full confidence. I really do. And it is as anticipated a playoff series as I remember in this city. It's going to be freaking awesome. All right, Fritzy, tie a bow on it before we get out of here. Well, we came, we saw, we conquered. The Marlins are an 84're an 84 win ball club they're pesky they're they're they've been a team the last couple years that have ended our season

they have been a team that that we've gone down there and it's been a house of horrors i mean you talk about um the the brandon workman game with the marta double off the wall 19 19-11. Nola going down there a couple years ago and just being bad, like just terrible. And they've truly avenged this whole Marlins thing. It's over. It's over. It's done with. And I'm just so proud that they're just a professional,

really, really good baseball team that is on the verge of being a great team. And, you know, it's what I said heading into the series and what I'll continue to say. Like, I think Major League Baseball, I think the Marlins made a mistake letting the Phils win this series because I think they're going to beat the Braves. And then I think the Diamondbacks are going to beat the Dodgers. By the way, Diamondbacks handling business in Milwaukee. We're going to have some NLCS games here.

The Phils will be the higher seed at that point. Which would be pretty special. Which would be unbelievable. Because last year we didn't have that opportunity. We did not have that opportunity. We have yet to, until this year, we've not had a home team for the higher seed. I really just want people to lock in. Because I don't think this thing is ending anytime soon.

Totally. And you know what I said, and I really mean it. to lock in because I don't think this thing's ending anytime soon. Totally. And you know what I said, and I really mean it, you know, and it'll be my final thought here, but with that in mind, with this run, like I really think and, you know, in the moment, try and grab onto it and feel it and cherish it because I think that between the season that this team had, the ovations coming off last year and bringing it back, and then the love affair between this team and this town, the moments that they give us, and this stadium throughout the run,

I think this has a chance to be potentially the greatest sports story in Philadelphia if they can finish this off. In Philly sports history, this could be the team, man. It is so freaking awesome. Thank you to everyone who called in tonight. We couldn't do the show without you. Thank you to everyone we met the last two nights at the ballpark. It was, like, unbelievable the amount of people who came up

and who were excited to talk Phills and all that. We love everyone. We are so excited to be a part of this. We can't wait to be back here next week. Bring on the freaking Braves, baby. Let's go. All right. Tom Kelly is coming up next.

Again, thank you to everyone who listened, who called in. Thank you to Tucker. Thank you to Justin for producing the show. We'll be back over the weekend with the pod. Check it out. Obviously, Saturday night we will do a pod and all that. Yes. But next week, same place.

We'll be here. We're ready to roll, and we'll be previewing Philly's Braves, same place. We'll be here. We ready to roll and we'll be previewing Phillies Braves and it is going to be awesome. So for, for Jack Fritz, I'm James Stelzer. Thank you for listening to a special edition of high hopes radio final out right here on 94 WIP.