High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Phils Lose 2 of 3 to the Marlins but Phil Gosselin Joins the Show!

Episode Date: July 26, 2020

Yes, the Phillies season started and it was miserable but at least Phil Gosselin stayed hot. He joins us (25:20 mark) to talk about his hot start and everything else.  See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. 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

Shop Best Buy's Ultimate Smartphone Sale today. Get a Best Buy gift card of up to $200 on select phone activations with major carriers. Visit your nearest Best Buy store today. Terms and conditions apply. 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. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes. It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Philadelphia Phillies on Radio.com and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo! It is another edition of the IOPs podcast.

It's one of those editions where it is both sweet and bitter. I don't know if there's actually a phrase for that, but look, all I know is Friday night watching meaningful Phillies baseball again, even though they lost the game, was about as happy as I've been in a long time. It was just glorious. And obviously the weekend did not end glorious. We'll dive into it all. Fred C, what's up, pal?

Well, only 57 more games until Matt Klintak is fired. I mean, that's the silver lining, right? You were the one who was like, hey, give me a top ten pick go yeah listen i don't know man like are you surprised like like it's just funny because it's like it could not have been more on brand for the issues that we thought it was like watching last season it was like the exact same thing and and the bullpen and the failure to convert runners from scoring position and the fact that it was like big inning or nothing at all. It was just like such a carbon copy. I just feel like we should be a mid-season form

because we know exactly how to handle this team because they're the same team. Yeah, I got to say, the 2020 team yeah i gotta say the uh the 20 the 2020 phillies sure look a lot like the 2019 phillies like it like eerily scarily like the 2019 phillies besides like dd you know dd and zach wheeler he's been great everything yo wheeler was we'll get to it we'll dive into every performance including uh uh feel like I'm way out in front in this bet right now. I feel very good about our Vinny Velasquez bet right now. I don't care.

I just hate it. I really do hate it. Miller was fun, though. We'll get into it, but to have a dude who just has a plus-plus fastball, it almost felt foreign to be watching that kind of guy pitch for my team. Yeah, I think Andy McPhail almost had a heart attack watching i just i just hate this team don't you like don't you just don't you just say i'm watching cole irvin i'm watching cole irvin fritter fritter away the five four lead not that it was a big lead to watch vinny valas

watching actually i should say watching in back-to-back innings watching vinny Velasquez. Watching, actually, I should say, watching in back-to-back innings, watching Vinny Velasquez and Cole Irvin fritter away leads just felt like it was one of those trigger type of things. It was like, no! No! Not again! I can't do this! Yeah, and it's so sad because I get so hopeful and happy. Me too.

We both were. We were in, dude. Jack, we were in. They even got me. I mean, everyone expected them to get you. We are very open about the fact that they would get you. They got me. Yeah.

Well, at least the Yankees are coming to town for four. Or at least the next four games against the Yankees. At least they were able to come back and beat the Nationals. I guess that's good, right? You know they're taking three or four from the Yankees, At least they were able to come back and beat the Nationals. I guess that's good, right? You know, I mean, you know they're taking three or four from the Yankees, right? I mean, I mean, look, if they,

what is it about the Marlins, man? I don't know. The Marlins coming today, and obviously we'll talk about this, but the Marlins coming today, literally losing their starting pitcher before the game and missing two other starters, and they still just wallop the Phillies. It's like, what is this?

It's like they know they own this team. It's like they know they're not as good or as talented as the Phillies, and they know that they're in their head. The Marlins are in the Phillies' head. There's no doubt about it. The Marlins suck. Objectively, their lineup's not that great they didn't even throw good stars this weekend like

guys I'd never heard of like the Magnaria Sierra or whatever like I never even heard of him before I had no idea who he was I mean I watched a lot of baseball I'd never heard of the guy I think the breaking point was Brad Boxberger like Brad Boxberger I know but he's terrible

like Brad Boxberger is Well, I know Brad Boxberger. I know, but he's terrible. Brad Boxberger is horrible. And to not even put competitive at-bats against Brad Boxberger, it's just awful. It's like they look exactly the same. It's all home-runner bust. It still feels like a lot of strikeouts. Is Scott Kingery good at baseball? Is Scott Kingery good? Are we Like, is Scott Kingery good?

Like, are we just going to pretend that Scott Kingery is this good player? Or is he ever going to actually be good? I mean, seriously, is Scott Kingery ever going to be good? Or is he just going to be, oh, this is the year for Scott Kingery. Oh, you got to play with second base all the time. Oh, you got to have him out of all these positions because he can't focus on hitting. Well, how would you freaking hit, man? Like, I know Kingery's not the biggest problem, but I'm just sick and tired of the freaking, like,

oh, well, yeah, Kingery's got to play full-time second base now. We're going to see, like, a special player emerge. Like, show me. Like, just show me there's something there. Show me it's not. Like, why are you trying to launch everything? Why is it all uppercuts in Scott Kingery? Like, well, there's no reason for that. There's no reason for him to try to launch everything? Why is it all uppercuts and Scott Kingery?

There's no reason for that. There's no reason for him to try to launch everything. You're freaking 5'8", 5'9". I understand you're yoked, but how about some singles? You're also super fast, too. How about some singles? How would you use it a little bit? How would you become a rounded baseball player instead of everything being pop-ups? And look, we are only three games in this season. No, but it's not only three games, James. It's not only three games no but it's not only three games james i know it's not only three

games i've been watching the same freaking team since august like i've been watching the same baseball team for three years like i was joe gerardi's gonna change everything right dude like gabe kapler was just like this is exactly the same thing that happened to gabe like it's not it's not the manager it's not the her game. Like, it's not the manager. It's not the manager. Have we learned that it's not the manager? Are we going to finally stop believing that it's the freaking manager? Why they can't get outs in the bullpen?

And it's Scott King where he can't hit? And Reese Hoskins stinks? Like, are we realizing it's not the manager? It's not the manager. It's the freaking general manager who stinks, man. He has just ruined this baseball team. He's so bad. He's so bad.

He's so bad. I can't look at him anymore. I'm with you. I'm sorry. I'm sorry to hijack the podcast. I just, I just can't take losing to the freaking Marlins.

There was no one there. I know. Well, it says you won't be waited five months for baseball. And then it's this, it's like, no, my God. I hope.

Oh, my. Oh man. Look, if it'll get Clint that gone, that,ag gone, I hadn't thought of that yet, and that is a nice little spin towards a positive. I mean, it is unbelievable, especially when I'm watching other games and I'm, like, you know, like, looking at other teams and, like,

I don't know, like, Dylan Batances is a guy who could have been here, you know. Blake Trinan. Blake Trinan is throwing, like, his back to being a witch for the Dodgers. And it's like, oh, cool. Cool seeing that guy who we wanted them to sign not here. And I'm seeing frigging Reggie McClain. And, you know, just like whoever it's Austin Davis pitching for me.

Cole Irvin pitching for me. I mean, it's just until Cole Irvin pitching for me I mean it's just Until Cole Irvin's off this baseball team I'm not picking them to make the playoffs Yeah that was a mistake They could make it 20 teams in the playoffs And Cole Irvin's not getting in Like honestly no team

That is supposed to quote unquote compete Should have Cole Irvin on them Can you see any other team that's supposed to compete Having Cole Irvin on them? No because he's terrible And Cole Irvin to compete having Cole Irvin on them? No, because he's terrible. And Cole Irvin is a waste of time. And so is Vance and so is Pavetta. They're all a waste of time. I got it. I understand. I understand.

They're all a waste of time. I got you. Nick was the least of the problems. But still, he wasn't great. Silver lining, Pavetta was the best pitcher on the field today. He was. Yeah. Yeah, it's just whatever. All right.

Let's dive into some of the, like, specifics and stuff. Like, let's start with the pen because I think we can both agree and anyone with eyes can agree that that is the biggest issue with this team right now. You felt it immediately on Friday night when Nola gave up that home. You're like, oh, well, the bullpen is going to make it worse. You know, they're just getting more. And they weren't even, you know, it wasn't even let it get out of hand like they did today. But then

today, same type of thing and you just felt it. And I mean, Vinny sucked. And we'll get to Vinny, but let's start with the pen real quick and Girardi's decision, too, because I did think there were some strange decisions from Girardi in terms of the guys he used.

But overall, like, what do we do, man? I mean, this pen is bad. It's one thing when you come to a season and something surprises you. This is exactly what we thought it would be, and it's bad. Yeah. I mean, we've said this since December. You know, it was so funny. Like, the end of last season, it was obvious that they needed bullpen help.

Besides getting another starter to go with Nola, shortstop was cool, DD good, whatever. But the obvious huge hole was the bullpen, and they just brought in a bunch of nobodies. They tried to piecemeal a bullpen together because David Robertson got hurt and Neshek got hurt and Tommy Hunter got hurt. Sir Anthony, and they actually counted on Sir Anthony for some insane reason. Right, right, right. But in the free agent market, they've been quote-unquote burned in the past,

so now that means that you can't sign anyone. You can't look for any upgrades out there because David Robertson got hurt and Neshek got hurt and Tommy Hunter got hurt. And the guys that they invested real money in in the offseason for their bullpen have gotten hurt. So we'll just bring in a bunch of good AAA pitchers and hopefully bet on our young guys to be better than they were and we'll put Pavetta or Velasquez in there, whoever loses that out.

And Alvarez and Morgan are hopefully good. And it's like, by the numbers, Jose Alvarez is their best option out of the bullpen to get the ball to Hector Neris. And Jose Alvarez is good. It's just Jose Alvarez is, I don't know, he throws like 91 miles an hour and has a good changeup. He should be like the fourth or fifth best guy in a good bullpen.

On a good bullpen, on a team that's supposed to compete, he's your fourth or fifth guy, and you feel good about him being your fourth or fifth guy. Not the best reliever out of the bullpen, not named Hector Neris. Like, that's... Not your best high-leverage reliever. If Neris is your closer, you're talking about Alvarez being, like, your go-to guy for any high-leverage spot before the ninth inning.

I mean, that's crazy. Yeah. And I like Alvarez, but that's crazy. It's insane. It is. I don't. I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but it's just not that hard to build a good bullpen.

I swear to God, James, it's not that hard to build a good bullpen. Find guys that throw hard and find guys that can spin a breaking ball and let's go from there. Let's not have Reggie McClain, Trevor Kelly. I actually like what I saw from Guerra on Saturday. Cole Irvin, Tommy Hunter. I mean, still 90-mile-an-hour meatballs. Like, Pavetta I think still could be a useful reliever, whatever.

Morgan and Alvarez are both good. It's like, just find some guys that throw hard. And they let Robert Stock get claimed off levers by the Red Sox. Like, I don't know. I would like to see what a guy with 99 and looked like he had a pretty good feel for a changeup could do out of this bullpen, but we're going to go with what we have here?

The decisions on this team just don't make any sense to me. And it's just, I think a lot of it is luxury tax related. Well, Liriano. Liriano steps in his pen Liriano's not here. Liriano steps in his pen and is right there with Alvarez as the best reliever, not named Hector Neris.

But it's like, no, we're at luxury tax. We don't want Liriano here. I mean, that sucks. That sucks. By the way, I hope you don't own Justin Verlander in any leagues. I don't. What happened? He's out for the season with an elbow injury. Whoa.

Really? That's a killer. I still would take him in our bullpen. Would you? He could throw a lefty in Bobby McGregor, Ben. I know people love using the definition of insanity quotes, but it really is all that. It's the same thing over and over again.

All right. Again, I think they have i think again i think they have some dudes in the minor leagues and come up and do some things but like like we're going to talk about that i guess friday night where he brought in ramon rosso right yes so i don't i actually i didn't i like the decision i didn't have any i did too we were in on right and i don't have any problems with it it's just what you saw there is why it's hard to trust young relievers right out of the gate right away.

It's because a lot of them are not ready for the bright lights. You know, like he clearly was not ready for the bright lights. That was exactly what it was. That's exactly what it was. Like he's a guy that has to pitch in like a blowout lead or a blowout loss. Like he should have, like today would have been a good time for Ramon Rosso to get out there and get his feet wet a little bit. Not bring him in a 3-1 game in the first game of the season.

I mean, that's like having me freshman year down in Virginia Beach. They're bringing me straight off the bus into a tie game in the ninth inning expecting big things. And it's like some guys aren't ready for the primetime just yet. And me and Ramon Rosso, we're not ready for it. I still think Ramon Rosso's good. To me, maybe it's different everyone else out there but to me it looked like he was just clearly jittery and just that was exactly

what i thought jack exactly what i thought but but if that situation is a 3-1 game he's probably your best chance at that point to get a strikeout because you don't want to use your other relievers at that point it's pretty relatively early in the game. And at that point, like Rosso's probably your best option to get you a strikeout, given what we saw in, in, in, in a summer camp. So I didn't hate the,

the, the Ramon Rosso bringing in there. I understand it didn't work out. Like, you know, everyone let me know it didn't work out. But yeah, I don't know.

I didn't hate the decision. I look, I don't think you're already, I just think guys didn't get out. You know what I mean? Like, honestly, a lot of the biggest moves that Girardi was criticized for, certainly lineup-wise, worked out. I mean, Gosselin yesterday, Haseley in the leadoff spot today.

Obviously, the no Gosselin today was a weird call, but he gets him in the lineup relatively early in the game. Well, to be fair, it was Urena as a hard writer. Yeah, and Walker's switch hitter. Yeah, for sure. Like, there were reasons for it. lineup relatively early in the game well to be fair it was uranus a hard writer yeah and and and walker switch hitter yeah for sure like there were reasons for it i i again i don't have joe gerardi's not the reason this team is one and two right now he's not like he's not you know i mean gerardi there is you can't point to it like it's just not gerardi's fault now i will i will say with gerardi though like i still felt the team being flat.

And also, not as tight as you would like. We talked so much about fundamental baseball, and not that there were any super glaring, disastrous type of moments, but it wasn't like we were watching a well-oiled machine at any point this weekend.

Yeah, and the runners in scoring position thing is frustrating. I mean, today was bases loaded two times with less than two outs and three times well yeah two times less than two outs and three times total i mean three times in a game that the base is loading it nothing it's marlon's bullpen it's not good no it's not it's not it's not good at all um and like that's where you like it and i don't it looked to me like they were just trying to go for the home run every time they were in that position. Rather than, you know, a base hit's good.

I understand playing for the big inning. I do. But you need to get some runs home to put some pressure on the other team and let them unravel. And they just could never break through. They could never break through. could never break through and i like joe dylan and i think i hope he does a good job but it didn't look like a much different offense like i thought jay bruce hit the ball hard but like bryce had the the shot today which was great

um but no one's really scorching the ball haz Haisley had his hits today. I think lowering his hands was massive. I mean, you can just see the, you can just see it already paying dividends. Um, well, and also just go, I mean,

all four, it's the opposite field. I mean, I don't know. I like to see that with a younger hitter, a guy who's saying, I'm just going to take the ball where it leads me and find a way to poke it wherever I can get.

I mean, that's type of hitter he needs to be. He's never going to be a, he's not powered or he's not someone like that. Like he needs to be the guy to hitter is going to be. He's never going to be a – he's not a power hitter. He's not someone like that. Like, he needs to be the kind of hitter who's going to be able to take the ball to whatever field he needs to. And I thought four opposite field hits today was nice to see. Yeah, yeah.

I mean, it was – they weren't weak. No, well, two of them were, like, smashed. I mean, the one was, like, definitively over left fielder's head, and the other one felt like he got a bad jump on it but still got over his head. And the other two were still – only one of them was like a real softly hit ball regardless. Why did Roman Quinn make two starts this weekend? It makes no sense, right?

Honestly, it was my first thoughts. I'm watching Hazy. I'm like, what were we doing here? And Hazy's a better – at least as good if not better defensive center fielder it feels like too. So I don't know. It doesn't make a lot of sense especially when quinn's a better weapon off the bench like we've talked about a ton of times yeah

late in the late games i mean quinn's a quinn could be a difference maker so yeah it was weird and especially with the extra inning rule like we talked about yeah so i mean hopefully you know i guess honestly if it gets if it gets a this version of adam hazley out of them like it makes them kind of compete and work and and and show up I mean that's massive so maybe it was maybe it kind of jump starts out a little bit uh but I didn't really see anything from Roman that was like earth shattering no what I didn't see much at all just a weird just a weird weekend man like yeah well let's get into a couple of specific ones because because I want to talk to you all right let's. And we'll get to the pitching in a sec.

Cause I'm sure people want to hear your thoughts on, on wheelers debut and how no looked on it, but quickly. Um, I want to start with Hoskins real quick. Cause I thought it was a really strange weekend for him. Like at no point did he look super comfortable at the plate. Even the double that he had just kind of was like a,

you know, kind of a boy should have gone the opposite way with, and still kind of pulled it to the left and was able to, to put it in the right spot. But seven walks. Um, I know. put it in the right spot but seven walks um i know what did you i mean seven walks i mean seven walks in a three-game series like so um it did make me think that look and i thought about the fact that 116 walks last year he was still terrible in the second half but like there is like a like the dude's gonna get on base even when he's slumping at least to a certain level

um what did you think of hoskins this weekend because he at no point did he make hard contact but you know was an effective two-holder yeah it was a weird weird hoskins weekend um like he he didn't smoke the ball on the ninth which was nice to see but again it's it's all pull and when reese hoskins came up he was a guy that could shoot the ball all around the ballpark and it would be loud it'd be hard good contact and he's just gotten so pull happy and it's it's a little frustrating that he already ditched the the new swing pretty much he's back i know it's gone i mean it's gone was he expecting it to work overnight i didn't look at it like it's just gone

like completely it's exactly back to what it was it's really He didn't look at it. It's just gone completely. It's exactly back to what it was. It's strange, actually. And it's good he's getting on base. I mean, seven walks is nothing to sneeze at. Yeah. It's important. That's important. And if that's going to be your two-hole hitter, that's fine.

It's kind of what you want out of a two-hole hitter. It is. That's more important than the home runs, but it's weird. But they need a four-hole hitter. And I like JT. And I want them to pay J runs, but it's weird. But they need a four-hole hitter. And I like JT. And I want them to pay JT, but he left 10 runners on base this weekend. Again, his bat is special for a catcher. His bat is special for a catcher.

Absolutely. So they need someone that can be a four-hole hitter that can drive dudes home. And Reese should be that guy. Reese should be that guy. Well, he was for his entire minor league career and the first you know year and three quarters two years whatever you want to call it you know with that first half a season whatever of his major league career that's the guy he was I mean it's really just been the last you know whatever that that second half of

last season and and so far what we've seen this year and spring and now that that he's been this different guy it's really crazy. It is crazy. But they need someone that can do that. Because you can't keep leaving all these runners on base. And JT was great last year, but I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I just felt like he left a lot of runners on base last year. It felt that way to me too, and it certainly was the case this weekend. I know he had the one homer with obviously three on shot,

but it felt like – look, and I think it's a sign of how good the lineup can be that the 4-0 hitter keeps coming up with runners on base. I mean, we're thinking about how many left on base, and he had the three-run homer. I mean, that's a lot of opportunities for the 4-0 hitter this weekend. You know what I mean? But you've got to take advantage of those. Like, a three-run homer is nice, but you can't leave 10 guys on base,

especially in those types of big spots, especially against a bullpen that is not going to be one of the better bullpens you're going to face this year. I mean, this is not – I mean, like we're going to talk – I mean, talk about the Mets, you know, a team that's in your division. I mean, that bullpen is way better, like way better than the Marlins bullpen, like night and day type of bullpen. So, I don't know.

It was frustrating. Honestly, I would put Boehm there immediately. And I know that's a big – I agree with you. It's a big jump, and I get it. And the power didn't really show itself in summer camp. But here's what I know about Alec Boehm is that he's going to put the ball in play. He's going to work competitive at bat. And I just feel like he's, at the worst,

he could just go the opposite way and put a ball, you know, in the right center field gap and move the game along. But what you can't have is 10 runners left on base. And, like, I would just put Baum there. And I understand it's a lot of pressure on a young guy to come up and be good right away. But I don't need him to be unbelievable right away. I just need him to do a job in the four-hole, and that is drive in runs. That is what they need.

Because if Hoskins is only going to walk, which is like, is this what Bobby Abreu was like watching? Like just always work? That's what it seems like to me. It's all, he just works walks. And it's good. It's good. It's frustrating when he lets fastballs right down the middle go. Or he can't catch up to 93 and put it into the seats right down the middle.

Like, if he's going to do that, leave him at two. It's good. But get Boehm or someone at the four that is going to drive in runs because I don't think that JT is a consistent run drive in guy at the four hole. Maybe you flip-flop him and Bryce, whatever. But Bryce did a good job this weekend also of moving guys along. So I'm cool with him in the three hole. They just need someone behind him to lengthen out this lineup even more. It's a really deep lineup on paper.

Like it's a good lineup on paper. Once you get bone in there, it gets even better. Um, and day one, I'm putting them in the four hole sink or swim. Let's ride. Yeah.

Uh, look, I, I love that idea. And if nothing else, I mean, boom has always made contact i mean boom has always put the ball in play boom is always um he's gonna give you an opportunity to score runs in those

situations you know and that that's really what they're they're struggling they're you know struggling on on finding ways to move those runners around um coming up in a second we're actually going to talk to one of those members of the lineup the uh hottest hitter in baseball barrels barrels it's the best nickname on the uh hottest hitter in baseball barrels barrels it's the best nickname on the plane we're gonna talk to barrels in a sec but real quick um two other hitters i want to get your thoughts on and then we'll get to phil um because and then we can get to pitching after but um dd obviously an amazing introduction to philly uh homers and back-to-back days and uh and kutch a little bit of a struggle kind of two sides of the coin here what'd you see from dd that you liked and and are you is it just for kutch a

timing thing for you or are you at all worried about kutch kind of looking a little rusty yeah for dd just couldn't have been a better first weekend i mean uh launches two bombs just unbelievable plays of shortstop you know a really special plays. Yeah, it's not even the plays were crazy, but there's a couple double plays that he turned were crazy, like the ball at the middle of the king where he flipped to him. His back was to the runner coming in from second base. He got across the bag and fired it across. Just a beautiful defensive shortstop.

I love Didi. And again, re-sign him. Re-sign Didi because Stotts a year away or a year or two away, if they can lock down Didi for a couple years, I think it would be great. Kutch, yeah, looked a little rusty. He hasn't played baseball

or a live game, MLB game, in 400 some days, so I get it a little bit. It's unfortunate because he smoked the ball, his first at bat, and then kind of went downhill from there. Looked like he had a little hitch in his running, but he did make the nice play in left field last night. So I just think it's all about getting his timing back.

I'm not worried about Kutch. You would like to see a little bit more on base from him. Last year what made him great was he would – he sure may only bat 250, but he would walk, and Phil's calling it. And it is our distinct pleasure to welcome on to the High Ops Podcast, friend of the High Ops Podcast, literally the hottest hitter on the planet. What an honor for us. The one, the only.

They call him Barrels. We call him Phil, Mr. Philil mr phil goslin phil thanks for taking your time brother yeah guys thanks for having me now phil uh i heard from an inside source that maybe golfing has been the main reason as to why this this is you've been off such a hot start is that is that true uh i'm trying to convince myself of it so i can golf more that is the best answer ever golf games way on the on the up and up i've always sucked at it to be honest um and then quarantine i got to play probably the most i've ever played um so golf game was improving a little bit and i don't know who knows maybe it's up the baseball

side of things too well i mean you're certainly locked in phil it's off the baseball side of things, too. Well, I mean, you're certainly locked in, Phil. It's been really impressive to watch. It was one of those things where we're watching through the exhibition games and the intra-squad games and just sitting there like, man, our dude's crushing it. Phil's locked in. And then, obviously, you finally get added to the 40-man roster, added to the 30-man roster, and then get the starting game to DHE.

And then, you know even here last year but you get the opportunity not just at your first home run in a Phillies uniform but but two first game what what what I mean you're from here I mean that's been like we all know you've been on the show before and and that's one of the the things making the rounds on Twitter is all the pictures of you back in the day the bird gang gang stuff and all that. And that's awesome. What is it like for someone who it was from here to, to not only have that, that first moment, but, but a game like that in affiliates uniform, what's that like?

Oh, it's crazy. I mean, I, I never, I dreamed of it as a kid. I never thought it was going to happen. Um, talked about a little bit last year. I never, you know, I was good as a kid, but I don't think anyone was like, Oh man, this kid's going to be in the big leagues. Um, talked about a little bit last year. I never, you know, I was good as a kid, but I don't think anyone was like, oh, man, this kid's going to be in the big leagues. Just a little bit more of a late bloomer in that perspective. So it's just wild. I mean, I was sitting in the stands,

and I wasn't there in 08. I was there in 09. Joe was managing the Yankees. I was sitting there in those bleeds with my brother. Watching A-Rod hit that homer off the camera. I was there, too. I was at that game, too. Same game. I was at that game too. Same game. I was at that game.

I was in section like, you know, 420 up way, way high. Nice, nice. So, I mean, it's crazy. I grew up idolizing a lot of those guys. I was able to play against them a little bit as their careers were winding down and I got to the big leagues. But I never expected it to happen. Still one of those you those got to pinch yourself from

time to time and realize you know i'm on the phillies and um been able to contribute uh in the early going here it's awesome are you like right now does the ball kind of look like a like a beach ball is this is the best you felt like at the plate is since i don't know back to the malvern prep days? I feel good. I felt really good last year in AAA, too, to be honest. Just, you know, when I was up, I did okay. But anytime you can get consistent at bats, like I've been getting at bats pretty much every day since we were scrimmaging every day in summer camp.

So just the consistency of at bats has helped a lot. It seems like when you're going, good pitchers make more mistakes to you too. You know, they've been missing over the middle of the play a little bit to me, and when you're going good, you don't miss them. So trying to keep that up as long as we can, take advantage of those mistakes because, you know, big league pitching doesn't do it too often, and when you get them, you've got to hit them. Phil, what's it like?

You know, a lot of people, it's kind of a rare story to see someone who's kind of breaking out and getting an opportunity. I mean, I know it's the first time you've been on the people it's kind of a rare story to see someone who's kind of breaking out and getting an opportunity i mean i know it's the first time you've been on the same team two years in a row in a while um at the you know age of in your 30s i mean that's it's a unique story what is it like to kind of grind for so long and then maybe finally start to feel like you kind of found a home at home no less um yeah it's really cool i uh i mean if i didn't think i could play every day and contribute i wouldn't be playing anymore you know that's uh that's just the truth of it um i've always believed that i could um you know for one reason or reason or another you don't

always get those chances you got a lot of times you got good players in front of you or you know it doesn't work out for whatever reason but i've always believed that i've never stopped believing that um and it's nice to get a chance here it was it was really cool getting to start early where it doesn't work out for whatever reason. But I've always believed it. I've never stopped believing that. And it's nice to get a chance here. It was really cool getting to start early. With Joe giving me that was nice because, like I said, to keep it rolling is big when you're going good. A lot of times as a bench guy you sit for a week or two at certain times. So Joe getting me in there yesterday was big for me.

Yeah, I, feeling good. Phil, we got to ask. I mean, obviously it's been such a unique thing. Obviously this whole season is super unique. But playing these games in an empty stadium, you know, what is that like for players who, you know, you've spent your whole career, even in the minors, you're playing at least in front of some fans here and there and stuff like that and And sometimes a lot of fans.

What's it been like, this kind of unique experience this season? It's weird. No doubt about that. But when I step in the box or when I'm on the field and everything, you're pretty locked in as a player. You kind of almost forget about it for a little bit. Now, it's, you know, when Harper or somebody hits a big homer and there's not going to be a million people cheering. That'll be weird. But in terms of, like, when you're in the box or when you're trying to make a play, it's the same.

You lock in. And it kind of reminds me of back in college when we'd just all fall and just scrimmage each other. Empty stadium. It's kind of weird, but, you know, you learn to get up for them and find a way to get yourself going in those games. Phil, what are your thoughts on Joe Girardi? Obviously he comes here with the big name pedigree.

I mean, he's Joe Girardi, managed 10 years in New York. How has Joe been this year? He's great. I mean, he's very even-keeled. He doesn't say too much. He lets you do your thing, and he speaks when he has to, but you can really see when he addresses the team, he really commands

the room. I think, what, three as a player, he's one, and then one as a manager, so he commands everybody's respect when you've got those championship rings. He's been great. I think everybody's really enjoyed you've got those championship rings. So he's been great. I think everybody's really enjoyed him so far, and he's a really good manager.

I think his track record speaks for itself. Definitely. Now, is it tough to kind of, you know, when you go to a ballpark and there's no one there, you kind of have to create your own energy. Even though you're playing at home, has it been tough to kind of create your own energy in the dugout and kind of get the guys going, or has it felt the same so far? Yeah, it's a little bit harder, but for me, I've been in the big leagues a good amount, but I haven't necessarily gotten a ton of starts in playing time. So when I do get in there, I'm pretty fired up regardless. It might be a little different for the guys that have been doing it for

10 plus years or whatever that feed off that energy a little bit more. The fans are awesome. I wish they were there. For me personally, it's not hard to get up for the game. The starts have been two and four between the times in my career.

When they do come, I'm always ready to go. Phil, along those lines, what's it like mindset-wise to have to kind of jump back and forth? You know, you're getting a start one day, but you've got to be ready to pinch hit. And you've had a lot of success in Affiliate's uniform as a pinch hitter so far. Like, what's it like mindset-wise to kind of not know you're in, you know, I'm in the 7-0 every day and playing second base every day

or whatever. What's it like from a mindset perspective and from a preparation perspective to kind of have that less clear future on a day-to-day basis? I mean, it's super cliche, but I pretty much prepare the same every single day, starting or not. It's the same. Get defensive work somewhere, infield, outfield, whatever it might be. You know, get your cage work in, take BP, work out, run, all that stuff we do every day. The minute you slack off from that stuff is usually the minute you get your chance. That's just the way life is. You've got to be ready when the opportunity is there.

I pretty much prepare the same way the entire year, whether I'm starting or not. You might do a little bit less work when you're starting every day because you gotta save some bullets and all that but i really haven't changed um you know when i first got called to the big league i struggled with it a little bit because i played every day my whole life but i've got a pretty good uh idea of what to do now um got my routine down and all that so i'm i'm good to go whenever my number's called you know first inning or ninth whatever it might be has has major league baseball sent you a random drug test yet or is it not yet i gotta cut the text about that from my buddies which is funny but uh i think uh maybe in the near future who knows

i mean gerardi said last night you were 24 24 for your last 12 so it might be coming your way honestly but i want to watch out for it yeah it might be on the horizon not this this is a question that like if i was in your position it would it would definitely be coming out but like does the does the phillies fan in you ever come out like when you have kind of a frustrating series uh to open up a season or whatnot does it ever come out inside you like come on guys let's let's get this going a little bit? No, I mean, I've been doing it professionally so long now that I still love everything about Philly,

but in terms of baseball, it's more of a business-type deal at this point. Played for a lot of other teams, enjoyed my experiences everywhere. This has a special place in my heart, but just a little bit more like work to me than than the fandom it used to be now the other sports i consider myself probably more in the fandom category and i'm probably just as guilty as other people of overreacting but with baseball um i'm pretty even keeled and you know i don't get

too high or too low for for winning or losing whatever it might be just kind of stay the course that's just how the game's built. Well, along those lines, and I think that's a really interesting kind of thing to think about because you do need to save and kill, and that's what baseball is. And there's, you know, it's such a grind and all that. But this is a unique season. There's only 60 games. And do you guys feel that urgency a little bit more?

I mean, coming out of the gate, one and two, are you going into this urgency a little bit more? I mean, coming out of the gate one and two, are you going into this series a little bit differently maybe than you would be going into the second series of a normal season? Not really. I mean, like you said, it's definitely magnified. It reminds me a lot of a college season. I think college is 56 games, I believe. And it wasn't every day like professional baseball but it was a sprint um

every game means a little bit more so it reminds me of that a little bit um but yeah you don't want to fall behind you know we want to at least be in the mix play play decent and be there in the end obviously like you get off to a hot start that's that's only going to help um but we're just trying to enjoy it um enjoy the process because you don't want to but we're just trying to enjoy it, enjoy the process, because you don't want to, you know, we had a short spring training. It's a little weird in that perspective, and we're all ready to go, but it's, you know, you weigh both sides of it.

We've got to run our best lineup out there every day and try to win every single game because it is a sprint, but you can't try to win 40 games at once. You've got to take it day to day. It's a sprint, but you can't try to win 40 games at once. You've got to take it day to day. Phil, what has it been like having Didi Gregorius there and getting the chance to play with him? And also the new additions. I mean, Zach Wheeler looked awesome on Saturday.

What kind of advantage do you think it has bringing those guys in this season? Yeah, they've been great early. You saw that you've already seen the rewards of those two guys. I played against Dede in the minor leagues coming up. He's always a really good shortstop, and he's developed some, you know, he's a much better hitter now and is showing off the power already with his homers. And Wheels is a tough at bat. I mean, I faced him in some early live VPs and inter-squads,

and, you know, he just throws really hard. He comes right at you. So they're both, you know, big upgrades for us. You see the DDs kind of stabilize the infield defense for us a little bit. You know, anytime you're good up the middle with him and JT, that's a pretty good start for your team. So they've both been good pickups, and I think everybody's seeing that already even though we're a few games in.

Now, yesterday, obviously, you had the huge day, the two homers. Of course, after the game, people start searching the tweets. There was a lot of old Eagles tweets, especially a lot about Nick Foles. I think it begs the question, are you a Foles or Wentz guy? The most important question

we've asked you yet, I think, potentially. I think Wentz is a better quarterback overall. Foles is just something about when he puts on the Eagles uniform there, it's crazy. He just got a little magic in there. So I'm all for Wentz at this point, but Foles always has a special place in my heart.

You know, he won a Super Bowl. We are one and only at this point. So I love both guys, but we'll go with Lance. I think he's going to be good this year. Good answer. Phil, that was a perfect answer. That's exactly what I would have said. You might have given Nick Foles just a little bit too much love for Jack's liking,

but I want to let you know that I appreciated it because I'm with you. The dude's a legend. Super Bowl MVP. That's all I'm saying. Yeah, he played the best two games of his life and the two biggest games of his life. And the two biggest games in the history of the franchise. No biggie. Whatever.

Jack. I would argue yesterday's performance was more impressive than the Super Bowl. But that's just me. You can done with that. I'm not going to say that. Maybe if we win a World Series this year. Sounds good.

He's trying to get you in trouble right there, Phil. No, no, no. That's what I was hearing. Seriously, Phil, thank you so much. You know, you are a friend of mine, Bob. The moment you got here, we were like, that's our dude, Westchester, from here. That's our guy i mean jack obviously um knowing some of the people you know and all that like we are we are a hundred percent

in your corner and super psyched and rooting for you and it's um it's just awesome to see him and we can't thank you enough for for coming on the pod and uh keep barreling it up brother thanks guys thanks for having me anytime you you need me, I'm available. Heading out to beautiful Westchester right now. Back to my parents' house. I'm staying with them for a couple days here. I'm probably the biggest loser in the Bayleys staying at home for a few days. You're a genius.

That's smart. Save the money. It's smart. Someday it's not going to be okay to do it anymore. Yeah, right. I don't see my parents too much so it's good to get home and spend a few days with them

alright well thanks a lot Phil we always appreciate it man and keep barreling up the baseball alright thanks guys anytime awesome awesome stuff from Phil I mean I'm not saying that everyone's saying that the reason he's white hot is

cause he's a friend of the house podcast but like people are saying i'm not saying but people are saying it jack like i i'm not the one saying i just want it to be known that that it's being said you know what i mean well all i'm saying is that kevin franson was once my favorite phillies utility player and there might be a new there might be a new favorite well done friend of the podcast kevin franson uh i don't know he might be getting replaced by phil gosling i mean you know his nickname is in barrels sorry kevin well to be fair i feel like if kevin franson played in this era he might be called barrels he could barrel he could barrel up a fastball. Look at you.

It's sucking up to both at the same time. It's very impressive. Not many people are going to bold that off. I'm telling you, not many people. It takes a special, special level. All right. Thank you to Phil. That was honestly super cool.

It's very rare that you get to actually have the loudest hitter in baseball on your podcast. Is it him or Miguel Rojas? Shut up, Jack. Miguel Rojas' name is not to be said on this podcast. Is it Miguel Rojas or Kurt Suzuki? I'm not sure which way you spell it. It's the same guy, right?

I mean, there's just – Same guy? I don't know about you. Every time I turn around, Jesus Aguilar just smokes some baseball. He's back. And what was annoying essentially today was, like, all of them, Aguilar's smoked some baseball. He's back. And what was annoying essentially today was like all of them, Aguilar's, Ross's, they were all those homers that like literally either like hit the top of the fence or like the first row back.

And it's like that's – it's a homer. But it was like they just all felt super cheap and like not like Bryce's like laser or whatever. You know, it just felt like, ugh, really? Really? Yeah. Well, that's what happens when you lose two or three of the Marlins. You're going to have bad feelings about a lot

of things. A lot of bad feelings. So you're going to have bad feelings. Let's get to the pitching. And there'll be at least some good pitching in here. Let's go star by star. Let's start with Nola. Looked solid. I won't say great. Definitely not quite enough bite on some of this stuff.

But cruising along for the most part. And then, obviously, the aforementioned Jesus Aguilar, the two-run shot. What did you think of what you saw from Nola? I mean, it looked like 2019 Nola. And I know it's early and whatnot. You know what? Before we get to Nola, it sucks that it's 60 games. I like that it's 60 games, but it sucks that it's 60 games.

Because these things take time. That's what makes a baseball season a baseball season. It takes time for guys to get going and define their rhythm and just get some strength built up. And the fact that it's just jumping in. I don't know about you, James, but Friday night in the eighth, ninth inning, I was hanging on every pitch like it was a playoff game. Me too.

It was awesome. I was giddy the whole night. It was the greatest night of baseball in my life. Right. And today, same thing. I was just slamming my fist in my car as I was driving around. I've moved so much this weekend. I'm so tired.

I'm not even done yet. Moving is the worst, by by the way moving is the worst yeah well i'm not i don't have to move anything to my philly apartment besides like a little bit uh i've been i've takes off home to westchester get all you don't realize how much crap you have until you start moving and it's like why do we even have this stuff um but yeah it just sucks because like nola will figure it out but and he'll be a good pitcher. It's just, like, the first game he didn't have his fastball command, and now we lose 2.7 wins. You know, every game this year counts for 2.5 wins, essentially.

But, yeah, the same thing that was frustrating about Nola last year was the fastball command. And what made him so great in 2018 was he could put the freaking fastball wherever he wanted, and he just has not had that since. You know, like he throws his changeup and his curveball are both really good pitches, but they're really good elite pitches if he can pair it with his fastball. And he just hasn't had the fastball command.

And that's what happened again on Friday night was, like, he would have it early, and then he'd lose it. And then he'd just start throwing curveball, changeup, curveball. Like, just keep going back to it. And when a hitter, a major league hitter sees it enough, they're going to square it up like Jesus Aguilar did. He missed his spot, and Aguilar didn't miss it. I keep wanting to call him Aguilar because of Nelson Aguilar.

I know. Is it Aguilar? Like, how do you – It's Aguilar. Like, Jesus Aguilar. Aguilar. As opposed to Aguilar, it's Aguilar is it I know is it Aguilar like how do you is it it's Aguilar like Jesus Aguilar Aguilar it's Aguilar yeah well I believe whatever I keep on saying Aguilar because of because of Nelson but um uh yeah and it's it's the curveball that is good when it's paired with his fastball and until he gets his fastball back, he's not going to be what we need Aaron Nola to be. Everything works when he has his fastball command,

and he just hasn't really had it since 2018. Sometimes it's good, but when he loses it, he loses it. And it was a frustrating Aaron Nola start. It really was. The first three innings, I was like, good, back, good. But what I realized, and I do it every year, is I can't fall for the first three innings because then it makes the rest of the game just painful.

But, yeah, it was a frustrating Nolistar. All comes back to fastball command. Yeah, no, I'm with you. It was less frustrating watching Zach Wheeler pitch. It was really fun to watch a guy just consistently dialed up to 97.98, like effortlessly, just like no problem. What did you think of Evan Wheeler here? I like the power.

I really do. I don't know how it's going to work against a team that's not as good as the marlins or that is better than the marlins um like it's it's really good stuff but the thing that holds him back from being an true ace is is the location and being able to spot pitches because like with his stuff he should be getting a lot more swing and miss than he does, and he just doesn't. So the Marlins start was a good start. But watching him for the first time, really, it was like, oh, this is why he's not at the next level.

Because if you're 98 with that sink, with a wipeout slider, with a wipeout curveball, he should be getting more swings and misses. And he just doesn't because it's too many non-competitive pitches. You know, there, there, he just, he's too nibbly sometimes where it's like,

he needs to hit the outside corner or else it's a ball. Um, but having a guy that throws 97, 98, like Zach Wheeler is not a bad pitcher to have on your team. Um, but I just still feel like that both Nola and him are twos or one Bs rather than a one. You know?

And I think, I just think that when Spencer Howard gets up here, maybe it won't be the first year. But next year, I think it's going to be like Howard-Nola-Wheeler or Howard-Wheeler-Nola. Just because like there's that little bit that holds Wheeler back from being an ace of aces, and it's not being able to get enough swing and misses. Good start, but you kind of see where it's going. And again, let us not mince words. The Marlins are terrible.

I know that they just are two other Phillies that have owned the Phillies' soul, it feels like, for the last year. Certainly a couple years, it really feels like. But they're a bad baseball team. Like, bad. Bad. So that does make sense where, you know, you don't want to overreact positively or negatively, but particularly positively. It's not like that. All right, let's get to it.

Vinny, man. Vinny? Look. Vinny, break up. The first inning, you know up the first inning you know the error you're like oh god and then he settles down he got that one just just devastating i don't know if it was a changeover curve whatever it was that just swing and miss look beautiful and then and then it's vince velasquez and he's back. Yeah. Exactly the same dude.

Well, and it seems like he already lost his rotation spot. I mean, Spencer Howard's going to be here on Friday. Thank God. Thank God. Yeah, I mean, Spencer Howard will be here on Friday. It's fine. You know, I actually think Vinny can do some things out of the bullpen. I think having that mix up. I know he was bad.

I know he was bad, I know he was bad. But, like, there's still – the stuff – like, the changeup still – he threw it a lot today. I want to get home. I want to look at Brooks' baseball because I want to see what – it feels like he didn't use his cutter as much today. And, like, I didn't see the cutter like we had been seeing it in summer camp and whatnot. So, I think – I still think he might be their best right-handed reliever

if he goes straight to the bullpen, which is exhilarating. I mean, every game's going to be a freaking heart attack, isn't it? Like, every game's going to be you're never going to feel good. Like, when it was 4-0 in the first, I was like, oh, sweet. Game over. Phil's win. Me too. Honestly, I thought the Gosselin home run on Saturday

kind of was their breath of fresh air. They were tight. Before the Gosselin home run, they were tight. Same old offense. Friday was brutal. The Gosselin home run kind of got them started a little bit. I felt like it was like the gate opened

or whatnot. It did in the first inning. But then, you know, those mighty Marlins showed up and it was all brutal. So I think Vince in the bullpen can still do some things. I still like the cutter. I still like that he's throwing the change up a lot. It's just, yeah, he's just not a starter. But whatever.

I mean, neither is Arrieta at this point. Like, I'm not looking forward to what Arrieta is going to do tomorrow night. Well, yeah. So, yeah, that's not great. We'll get to that in a second. I mean, does Zoe know that we have a podcast going on? Zoe's so mad right now. Yeah, well, did she watch?

Zoe, we can hear you. Zoe. We can hear you. Zoe watched Phillies baseball this weekend and started crying. I'm the same. This is where we're at right now. I'm the same way, Zoe. I mean, me and now i'm the same way zoe i mean me and zoe are in the same boat everyone's with you zoe we all agree oh man all right um all right a couple quick things before we get out of here um um what

did you think of the whole uh look it seems like we're not gonna dive in a little thing at that but you know the marlins obviously that the whole COVID thing before the game wasn't ideal. You don't love that. But it just feels like with this season, Juan Soto test positive before the start of the game. This is just kind of what it's going to be, and you just kind of look for the best and expect and plow forward, right? Well, yeah.

Oh, hold on. By the way, Spencer Howard is not starting next friday joe gerardi said after the game that vince will make his next start so we got one more terrific one more chance baby do you think gerardi wants clintac fired and he's like i'm gonna do whatever i can to to tank this season oh dude it'd be great wouldn't it it would be pretty great i would mad respect for joe gerardi if he did that. Do you think Joe Girardi just sends him an email every morning with his bullpen? Dude, you know Joe Girardi. We know Matt Klintak.

We know Joe Girardi. And we know who hired Joe Girardi. I think it's pretty safe to say that Joe Girardi and Matt Klintak are not huge fans of each other. If I had to guess, that would be my guess. Well, what does Klintak even do anymore? He doesn't help with the lineups anymore. They're all Girardi. Doesn't make the moves during the game. He can claim guys off waivers and give

him more pieces, but honestly, playing with this Phillies bullpen is like Brett Brown coaching the process Sixers. It's that level of incompetence. I mean, seriously, it is. Hector Neris is Robert Covington.

A good player that no one really likes. I mean, that's how I feel about Hector Neris. The Phillies bullpen is equivalent to the process Sixers. It's the same exact thing. Wow. That's dark, man. Except the Sixers were trying to tank for a top top top three pick and this team's supposed to make the playoffs like yeah in terms of how they built it like they kind of like a bunch of cast offs young guys who knows um all right uh coming up uh yankee

series uh i got pitching matches we got got Jake Arrieta on the hill. Hold on, let me pull him up as I do a good job. I'm like in Philly's form right here. Arrieta versus Hap, Eflin versus Cole, Nola versus Jordan Montgomery, and Zach Wheeler against James Packham. Four-game series through next Thursday. Like, they have to split with the Yankees, Jack. Like, can we split with the Yankees? Can we? Of course they're going to split with the Yankees, Jack. Like, can we split with the Yankees?

Can we? Of course they're going to split with the Yankees. You think so? Yeah, of course they are. There's no doubt in my mind. There's no doubt in my mind. I understand the Yankees are great, but they're going to do it. This is what they do.

This is what they do. They play up the competition. They play down the competition. I mean, they're a lock to lose tomorrow. I have absolutely no faith in Jake Arrieta. Like, I've been out on Jake Arrieta all the time, but then when I saw that six of the seven Phillies hitters just smoked him in his last tune-up before the regular season, I was just out.

So I'm expecting nothing tomorrow, like maybe hit the over. Well, that'll be good. And then they'll somehow win the Eflin-Garrett-Cole game, right, because they're the Phillies? Oh, they'll definitely win the Eflin-Garrett-Cole game. the Phillies. Oh, they're definitely winning the Eflin Garrett Cole game. You know that. You know that. I do, actually.

Honestly, if I had to bet on how it plays out, that would be it. Dude, I can't wait to watch Garrett Cole. Like, just seeing him face this Phillies team is going to be... Obviously, we're rooting for the Phillies, but it's going to be so intriguing. I know.

It's going to be really interesting to watch Garrett Cole pitch against his team. Like, what is it going to look like? Is anyone going to barrel him intriguing. I know. It's going to be really interesting to watch Gary Cole pitch against his team. What is it going to look like? Is anyone going to barrel him up? I mean, barrels will, but outside of barrels, I don't know who else is going to barrel him up. Cole obviously let up the home run in his first start, but he didn't look as crisp as he did in Nashua's uniform.

No, he didn't. I was reading some stuff that looks like his front foot is landing a little bit early and he's flying open, and it's causing some inconsistencies in his mechanics, which is interesting to see, given that he's the perfect pitcher. But I'm excited to see what Garrett Cole can do, and I'm excited to see his team face the Yankees. At least the Yankees have talent, right? Losing to the Marlins is one thing.

At least going against the Yankees will be a good litmus test for this team. Sure, yeah. And look, it's just fun to face the Yankees. I hate the Yankees so much. Well, I'm excited to see what they can do. I'm excited to see Judge and Giancarlo back-to-back against this bullpen team. Is excited the right word? Alright, you got any final thoughts?

Do I have any? Moving sucks? Well, I'm excited to be in Philly. It doesn't suck because the end goal... I'm excited to have you in Philly. Yeah, the end goal is the end goal. I found my post-game video for Phil's wins. I'm very excited to start unleashing

that this season. Everyone's waiting with bated breath, Jack. Well, yeah. It's exhilarating. It's exhilarating. And as always, get me a top 10 pick, baby. Yeah. Fire Clown Tag.

57 more games. 57 more games. I will say one thing. And, again, obviously the whole covet situation tomorrow situation in the marlins is serious and you know you worry about that to yourself but i'm not talking about the code part i'm talking about um i'm i'm at the point where i'm so sick and tired of of people saying like no fans in the stands it doesn't feel like baseball or or this or that or oh this you ever just embrace this embrace this like we like and it's not the

high hopes people because the high hopes listeners are just like us and they're embracing this for what it is but like i'm just this is such a unique thing and hopefully we'll never see a season like this ever again and and i'm just totally all in i'm all in on empty stadiums i'm all in on fake crowd noise i'm all in on the unique weirdness of this season um and you know as long as everyone stays safe and healthy and they could do the best they can with all that like i'm embracing it jack i'm all in give me this weird 60 game sprint i'm gonna i'm gonna love it for what it is and i i i like the cardboard cutouts behind home plate like it makes it it makes it feel a little bit normal and i I like that the Phillies are honoring the frontline workers and stuff.

Super cool. That's great. I mean, the Phillies are a great organization. That's what makes it so frustrating that their team just makes me want to ram my head into the wall. And to a great point, if the team were as good at baseball as the organization is at everything else, we'd be a perennial World Series contender. Let's transfer that over. Yep. the organization is, and everything else, we'd be a perennial World Series contender. Let's transfer that over.

Yep. And this team should be so much fun, too, because the lineup breaks. It's the beginning. We can't get some hits with runners on base, guys. Three for 24 this weekend with runners in scoring position, I believe, or with runners on base, whatever it was. It's just not ideal. Also, if anyone tweets me, this didn't age well, I just want to.

It makes it, honestly, being on Twitter during Phillies games makes me want to delete Twitter. Well, I got one of those, too, where it was like, this didn't age well when I just said, when the tweet was like to the effect of like, please don't suck, Vinny. And it was like, this didn't age well. And it's like, I the tweet was like to the effect of like, please don't suck Vinny. And it was like, this didn't age well. And it's like, I was asking him not to suck. Like, I was like, please be good.

I wasn't saying, oh, Vinny's going to be great. Like, like at least get it right. It's super annoying. Oh, dude. It's like a guy lets up one home run. It's like, oh, let me tweet. Yeah, well, see, you guys suck. It's like, oh my God.

Just let the game play out. It's baseball it's not football go finish moving yeah we'll be back later this week hopefully uh hopefully things are better uh until then he's friends himself so we'll see you later