High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Recapping The AL West and The Phillies 7-3 Road Trip

Episode Date: May 2, 2024

After a brief rundown of the latest happenings in the AL West, James Seltzer and Jack Fritz discuss Alec Bohm's breakout and the Phillies 7-3 road trip. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

Another fact, so jump aboard the B.I.B. Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High hopes! It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies on Odyssey and Sports Radio 94. WIP. Oh, it is another edition of the Ohio podcast sponsored by Miller Lite,

the official sponsor of the Philadelphia Phillies. Tastes like Miller Time Philadelphia. Celebrate responsibly. Jack Fritz, what if I told you the Phillies went 7-3 on a road trip early in the season in April? They just went out and won 5-6 in California? What? What, Jack?

What team am I watching? Who is 21-11? Did you know April's over? The Phillies have the most wins in baseball. What team is this, buddy? And again, they're still not first in the division. It's infuriating. It's sickening. I think the

biggest thing that I felt on the road trip and the biggest thing that I felt about this team for a while now and it's that they're just different. I know they got off to the slow start. But they didn't. It was just a few games and we all freaked. I know they got off to a slow start. But they didn't. It was just a few games, and we all freaked out.

They've gotten off to a great start. Great start. And they backed up what they said in the – No doubt. They backed up what they said in spring training, and they've come out, and they've just done it. And this is different than the other team. This is – now is how they fully arrived, and obviously they don't have the title.

But this is what the 07-11 Phillies did, is they just go out and take care of business, and that's where this team is. Isn't it kind of funny thinking about the history of the Phillies? It's like one of the three best Phillies runs in the history of the franchise. There's no question it is. Not like one of. It is, as of right now, already the third best run,

and who knows what will happen. Yeah, it's 76 to 83 or whatever. 07 to 11 right now. Yeah. And they barely existed before the year 1976. I know. Not 100, almost 100 years ago. I know 1950.

I know 1964. But. 1915 as well. Don't forget those swashbuckling 1915 fills. Why did it take them so long to win before 1915? Even that was like 40 years. And there weren't that many teams. They're just something, man.

I mean, again, I can't remember. I think it's like 32 out of 33 years they were under 500 for a stretch. Think about that. If you look at the baseball reference, it's the funniest. I know. It's so great. Because if there's ever if there's ever an era that i would like to go back to and do high hopes during is 1916 to 1949 i believe

that's about as as high hopes as it gets there was i think there was one year there were 500 it was one year one year above 500 yes and they were like a game or two over 500 like how did how did the franchise survive like they suck they're so bad well that's how you get to 10 000 losses before anyone else no one better no one better so it's like again i i we we've tried to do this the last two posts in this last couple years like really soak this in because this is this is pretty good man rarefied air for us is what it is yeah and maybe again maybe i am maybe i am like the the stupid guy that like it's just so dumb that the blinders are on like this is gonna be my life i'm so in on it yeah no no they've redone the organization. Between John Middleton

and Dave Dabrowski, I think we can safely say the Phillies will never be bad again. What a throw. What a throw. I want you to knock on some wood. But yeah, it's a... They're just... They went out. They said all spring training, we're going to start hot.

We're going to start hot. And they've just gone out and totally backed it up. Was angel series the most inspiring no not really no yesterday and they did lose the first game of it like you know they should have won that but regardless but you could argue they should have lost and they should have probably lost yesterday it was it was not the most inspiring i mean the fact that i i would have bet in the moment when the ball went off the bat, I would have bet my life that ball was going out. So I didn't see it.

And here's the disaster of yesterday. What happened? Yeah, I did. No. It's a little inside baseball. Before the pod, we were talking about the series, and Jack's like, well, yesterday was a disaster for me. We'll get into it.

So let's get into it. Thank you. I did watch the game when I got home. Like, I did. I did. And it was just excruciating because yesterday is my mother-in- home. Like I did. I did. And it was just excruciating because yesterday is my mom, my mother-in-law's 65th birthday.

Happy birthday. And mom, happy birthday. And like, we go over to my, my brother-in-law's house to watch it or to, to hang out, not watch the Phillies,

believe it or not. And that wasn't part of the birthday plan. I thought we were all on the same page. I mean, you were part of this family now, right? yeah for years i mean they've known you since you were a child but no video sickening so i get over there and they inform me cut cable wow so like i'm like whoa buddy so i get over there cut cable. I'm on all their little streaming apps. Nothing. I'm on my phone. I'm on my phone, this stupid app.

The NBC app should be able to do it, but it's not taking my login. So I had to freaking just sit there and just look at updates on my phone. I hated it. I hated it. Why aren't you present at dinner? Because I'm trying to follow the game.

They have a one-run lead with Soto in the ninth, and I can't experience this agony. First and third one out, no less. Yes. Yes. So that's why. That's why I'm not present. Please leave me alone.

I'll get around. Give me five minutes. This is 100% on your family and I. Yes. I mean, no better. What are we supposed to do? That's right. Five minutes. This is 100% on your family and I. I mean, no better. What are we supposed to do? Yeah. That's right.

You know, outside of just you being you, it's actually your job. I know it's a ridiculous excuse to use. I should make them. But it is true. I say it to Emily all the time. Like, start getting watches. It's my job. But it is.

I should make them get cable again. You should. For you. Because I'm not coming over. No. I will stay at home. Next time, just put your laptop and be ready. Be prepared. Yeah, but dude. Yeah. No. I will stay at home. Next time just put your laptop and be ready. Be prepared.

Yeah, but dude. Yeah. Well, you know what's dumb? Honestly, you should just put the laptop on the table while you're eating with them and say, sorry, this is what you've done. This is your fault. So it's a really good point. And I wish you would have told me that yesterday because my laptop was in my car.

Yeah. So I had the whole time. Oh, no. Yeah, no. I had the whole time. No, I did. I did. Just could have walked outside. Just walked outside. Yeah i had the whole time yeah no i had the whole time no i did just gonna walk outside just walk outside avoided the whole thing yeah again really bad like yeah like and again when i so there's another annoying thing that's been happening to me i can't wait yeah and and this is a breath this is another portion of the family

and it's really just a lot of people in general so the worst thing the worst thing and this is not gatekeeping just the amount of times you have to say this is not gatekeeping but the worst part about the Phillies being good is that everyone has an opinion on it

and what I've had to deal with with the other cousins in the family is them telling me everything they think, even though they didn't start watching until the World Series in 22 and then missed the most of the regular season last year until about August. And then tell me everything that's going on. You love that, though. Oh, it's my favorite. It's my favorite. So I'm currently fighting about a million battles in Jill's family, but one day at a time.

And no one seems to understand. I just, just leave me alone. This is not hard for you. It's just very simple. I think if there's one person, you haven't changed that much, but if there's one person that is about the same as they've always been,

it's this guy. It's this guy. So you knew what you were getting into. I mean, you've been the same the entire time I've known you, I feel like. You've just always been like a 50-year-old guy. It's pretty remarkable. It really is. It really is remarkable.

You've been 50 since the moment I met you. You were in your early 20s. You know what's been bad, though? You know what's been bad, though? Is that when I get 50, I'm like, this sucks, man. I really, like, I should have really embraced being 30. Let me tell you, pal.

Let me tell you, yes. Yeah, you know what sucks? Everything hurts all the time. I'll, like, take a nap, and I'll wake up, I'll be like, why is my arm hurt? And then it hurts for three days

because I slept on it weird. So that's great. Yeah. Yeah. That's all right. I stayed up for the other Angels games, so I guess that makes up for it. Oh, I did. So that evens out. i did not i missed sadly that i can't believe you missed

the johan row i know i know i mean you want to talk about some highs of high you go from the maxi shot the maxi takeover straight into a cassian unbelievable well not straight into it was like three hours after that or two hours after that it was like 20 minutes but bro they were in the second inning when the sixers game end trust me because i was like should minutes. Bro, they were in the second inning when the Sixers game ended. Trust me, because I was like, should I stay up a little longer? I was like, second inning? Oh, got to go to bed. You might be right. I know I'm right.

But the, and this is where you appreciate Castellanos. Yeah. The absolute like stones. To call it. Just point that out. I was like, who are you? It's just because it barely got out. It did barely get out.

Both of them. Both Rojas and his homers were obviously less thrilling when you read about it and then you come in and watch it the morning of before the show I was watching it.

But when I came in, they were exactly what I would have expected with those homers. It was like, I'll bet they just cleared it. Well, you're batting 171.

You got three extra base hits on the year and he's like i got that and then he comes out and rogs the golden sombrero yesterday he did which sucked because like when felt like he's going a little bit when he when he hit the home run he had three hits some of them were bleeders bloopers whatever and then what really got me was the celebration after the game where they came together and they did the thing and I was like bang Cassie's back well especially to his quote where he's like he's like I was so happy to come through he's like because I haven't most times this year I was like

you know it's like yeah own that stuff man it's right it's right he owns it I do appreciate how he like as much as almost any athlete I remember like we have a lot of those guys like the Harper I boo me too and all that but like Castellanos will tell you he's sucking and I do

appreciate that because we can see it well it's pretty hard to I mean because when I mean like he sucks so hard when he sucks like it's not even it's not even just like a mix in a single every once in a while it's like oh I'm over my last 30 I will say yesterday he did have a couple

nice foul balls. No, I know. It sounds so excuse me. It sounds so sad, but he did. Dude, he almost had two doubles. I thought it was a homer. I mean, it was close. Or at least a double. If we're going to be as fair and balanced as possible, he's probably a combined

10 inches away from two doubles. There you go. You can take a little 0 for 4 and shove it. You did. It was nice to see him pull the ball down the left field line. Like I was like, oh, yeah, oh, yeah, that guy. That's the guy that has the most doubles in baseball. He could do that.

Wow. Yeah. So, look, 7-3 on the trip. Yes. Got to be happy with that. And, honestly, a 5-1 jaunt to California, it really, like, this team is different. Like you said, they are different.

Even like yesterday, Zach Wheeler, it's like, wow, Wheeler sucked yesterday. Five innings, one run. It's like, that's a Wheeler sucks performance now, is five innings, one run. Like, this team is just, they are stacked, man. They are top to bottom, so well put together, especially on the pitching side of things.

Yeah, and you want to know what's interesting? Is that, like, they go out west, and you could have made the argument, they didn't get blown out in any game. No. There's actually them kind of blowing it, more than the other team just kind of taking it to them. The one thing that I find so interesting,

because I feel like we're pretty good about having a feel for things, and obviously the starting staff's been ridiculous. I would say that out there was, like Sanchez, just back-to-back starts, hasn't really had it. Wheeler didn't have it yesterday, but obviously the starting staff's the starting staff.

And Turnbull was good again. He didn't go deep, but it was good. I'm so surprised they have the worst bullpen ERA in baseball. It's the worst? It's the worst bullpen ERA in baseball. Still? I think it's even with if you take out Pinto and Brogdon. It's like five point.

Now, this is before the game yesterday. That is shocking, though. It was before the game yesterday. It was 5.21. So it would have gone down. If you took out Pinto. It was four shutout yesterday. It was four shutout, so that'll help.

Usually you can feel when your bullpen sucks. I haven't felt it. I feel like I can point to the Soto. You can point to the first two games of the season. I don't really remember any other spots where the bullpen was really bad. The two guys I really don't trust right now.

I mean, Sir Anthony. Sir Anthony and Soto. And even then, Soto, I'm with you. He's just too inconsistent. But yesterday, he gets first and third one out. And then freaking, that was a great strikeout, but then also could have been home run. So yeah, I agree with you.

I think Soto, it's Sir Anthony with a bullet by himself as the one I don't trust the most. But I agree, Soto would be number two. Soto's there. And I know he's been good. I just need to see it so much more before I'm like, all right, he's good. Because he has those performances where like, bang, here's three

earns. I think the thing with Soto is that I don't think you can ever truly feel that he will always have those. He could give you two months of being one of the best relievers in baseball, and then he's going to have one of those outings where he just doesn't have the control and he's going to be all over the place's gonna have one of those outings where he just doesn't have the control and he's gonna be all over the place and you know so it's just he's one

of those where like you never feel fully comfortable right but you know like you go through it and everyone else i feel i feel really good about and i feel good about hoffman hoffman's back to like 97 and awesome awesome he's so good i mean strami awesome well and that's what i want to bring up is like i and maybe it's load management. Maybe it is. I hope that's what it was. Why they're using him so little. Dude, he didn't pitch since Wednesday.

I know. And there's a tie game he could have came into. Like, there was spots he came in after Marte. Well, the Sir Anthony spot. I mean, the law. Like, that's where, like, you even said it. You're like, why wasn't Strom in that spot? Well, there was that.

And then the next game was when they brought in freaking Marte. Marte, yeah. And then Strom's in when you're already down by two that made no sense to me so i just now to be fair martin should have been out of that inning he should have been you know that was about as bad a defensive play as you'll ever see a shortstop make it was not great he's been better defensively that was a step back yes it was a step back so but yeah i just the strong thing I hope is just like we're managing his innings. They used him a lot the first two weeks of the year, and now we've got to like stretch him out a little bit in between appearances. But, yeah, there's a couple times where I was like, what are we doing?

Like, Strom's money, man. He's awesome. He's money. So, I just – it's one of those things where I know the numbers are the numbers, and it's a bit small sample size because the starters have been going so deep. Totally. It's a very small sample size. It kind of jacks it up when they do pitch and have bad outings.

But I still feel I'm very, very bullish on the bullpen. Now, what they need, and, man, you want to talk. If there's one thing that is maybe my wheelhouse, right? I think if there's wheelhouse things is maybe my wheelhouse, right? I think that if there's wheelhouse things in, in, in the sport of baseball, something that I love more than anything in the world, it's a good old righty reliever trade.

Yeah. There's a few things you like more in life, much less. I don't know why, man. I am a, a role players guy. You always have all I care about in basketball.

Like, do you have enough role players to win? Sixers don't. True. Sixers don't. And like role players guy you always have all i care about in basketball like do you have enough role players to win six years don't true six years old and like role players in baseball i care about the most i think it matters i'm a fringe i'm a fringe rosters man you really are a friend yeah dude that's all i care about you get way more excited about the 23rd guy on the roster than you do that the first it's my linebacking is my favorite position in football. It is. It's not even a banner to Ike. I've told him a million times. I've always been a linebacker guy.

They suck at linebacking. That's why I hate the Eagles so much because they can't find a freaking linebacker but they might have this year. Trot Junior, uh-oh. But they need another righty reliever so bad. Maybe because and maybe that's why marty

has been pitching more and more in these high leverage spots because he might be their second best option although kirk yeah i think kirk ring's good and he'll continue to work his way back they haven't felt comfortable pitching them back to that games yet so whatever but kirk on the way back hoffman hoffman sir anthony's a huge question mark. And I appreciate that they're working on a new pitch with him, but he clearly... I actually hope he accepts. It's a confidence thing. I hope he accepts a trip to the top.

So we talked about this last time on the pod, and then since then he went out and had another bad outing. So, all right, hold on, hold on. He shouldn't have been put in the game. So I agree with you on this. So I agree, I agree. But if we're going to... All right.

Let's let's get full on excuse me. Because we are no one better at this. We are. There is no one alive. Because I feel like there's only one safe space to bring this up. And it's this podcast. If I put it on Twitter, I'm going to call it a homer. If I talk about WIP, I'm getting my own sad violin.

Yes. So I have to do on this. Do you play for yourself? No, I do. But it's my new favorite bit is that. So's been like so hard about it be yeah so you just play this sad violin yeah like sad violin great band he gets so mad yeah he gets so mad but it's the greatest so cassiano's like was basically 10 inches from two doubles yesterday so really he was two before yeah with with raising that slugging percentage. Dude, Sir Anthony

was looking pretty good, and then he missed his spot by five feet. He was... He missed his spot. Stubbs is up here. He's like, high fastball, buddy. And it's in the ground outside. It could not have come further

away. I think if Sir Anthony could have located that pitch a little better, he's back, man, because he's good on Friday against the Padres. Yeah, in the 9-3 game or whatever. That's where he should be pitching. He can't be in a tie game. What are you doing? Just saying.

Saw something. A lot of negativity on Sir Anthony. The fastball's there, but it's just nothing else. To your point initially, and I think it's what you said on the last part too, like it's an in-his-head thing. It's not an arm issue. Like the arm is live. It's that this guy doesn't trust it.

I think it'd be smart for him. I agree. I know he has to accept the trip to the minor leagues. Like they can't just option him there. Well, that's the point. I mean, but look, I mean, as a good example, I mean, point to accept the trip to the minor leagues. They can't just option him there. Well, that's the point. But look, as a good example, point to Jose Abreu. Jose Abreu is making $19 million this year. I know.

But the more obvious one I thought was Alvarado. I was just surprised. But Alvarado didn't have to agree to it. They just sent Alvarado, and he didn't have five years at that time. Alvarado did not have to agree. They just chose to send him down. I'm saying Jose Abreu has been in the league forever league forever making 19 million dollars agreed to go to the minors because he was the worst hitter in baseball but still like that like that's a it's a world series winner you

know like that's a you know like that right he wasn't on the 22 team wasn't he no he's only been there one year yeah yeah yeah well he obviously wasn't on 22 teams he wasn't in series huh he's only one year. It was bad, dude. I drafted Merlin in fantasy last year. For some reason, I thought he was there. Either way, he's been in baseball a long time. He's a former MVP.

Yeah, literally. Yeah, there you go. He's a former MVP. By the way, speaking of real quick, at some point, I keep waiting for the Astros to figure it out. They're 10 and 19. Yeah, dude. They might not.

Dude, they're behind. The A's are 15 and 7. Yeah, I know. I know. By the way, Mason Miller? I know. No, dude. They might not. Dude, they're behind the A's are 15 and 7. Yeah, I know. I know. By the way, Mason Miller. I know. No, I had him written down.

I would trade you. I would. I would trade you. I would ship you. I'd be like, yep, I'm going to Oakland, guys, for the good of the Phillies. I'll do it. Dude, do you know what his – I don't know. I didn't know it was possible. Do you know what his whip is?

Somehow he has a minus.14 whip. I don't know. It doesn't make any sense to me. I don't understand it. I don't get it. That's what I thought. Walks hits for innings pitch? Yeah.

You mean fielding independent pitching? No. Maybe it's his whip that's that low. But his whip is... Hold on. I'll pull up his whip. I know it was like.01. I do not believe you can have a negative.

I didn't think you could either. I saw... Hold on. I'm going to look. Ready? Okay. Mason Miller, his whip, right now. Yes.

We're all waiting with. Oh yeah, so he's got a negative FIP, that's what he has. He has a minus.07 FIP, which is, I mean, I don't know how that's, it's unbelievable. All right, and his whip is, hold on as I scroll over. It's good. On the old graphs here.

Oh, I guess I gotta go to the different thing. They give you so many different options here. Advanced, that should have a whip, right? Here we go. Nope, advanced is not it. Would that be standard? We've made it standard? I think it's standard, yes.

Whip is standard these days. Oh yeah, no, we've come full circle. We've come really far. All right, you're right, here we go. All right, so, nope. No, this is going well. This is going really good, so it didn't change over to standard. No, his whip is.76..76, all right. So the No, this is going well. This is going really good, so it didn't change over.

No, his whip is.76. .76, all right. So the FIP is what I saw. His FIP is negative.07. Negative.07? His ERA plus is 301. What? Yeah, which is pretty ridiculous, dude. 301 is insane.

Dude, he's got a 1.1 war as a closer. Dude, he's got 29 strikeouts in 14 innings. Is he the most dominant guy you remember? Like, just for a closer guy. Like, in terms of right now. So, he reminds me. There's nothing like when a closer gets in a run like this. Because he reminds me of Gagne.

He reminds me of Edwin Diaz in Seattle, where it's just like, game over. I mean, just stuff pops. It reminds me of Edwin Diaz in Seattle, where it's just like, wow, game over. I mean, just stuff pops. And the funniest part about Mason Miller, and maybe it points out just colossal of a failure I am, but he's a D3 guy. Oh, wow. He's a Division III guy.

Do you feel like Ken Chip? No, well, he's below. I pitched at a higher level. I also, I did i pitched a higher level i also i did pitch a higher level also also i don't know if i brought this up in this podcast but if you want to go by if you want to go by if you want to go by like resume i'm way more qualified to coach the eagles than sirianni oh really oh he's a d a D3 guy. What a pivot that was. Of all the things that could have come out of his mouth there.

Did he even play the game? Okay. What about the whole coaching career up until then? Yeah. What about playing the actual sport that he's coaching? No, I'm saying I'm more qualified to manage the Phillies than he is to coach the Eagles. And it's why I have a hard time.

That was good. Thank you. Very ridiculous. Yeah, Mason Miller is dope, though. Unfortunately, see, I wonder if John Fisher, despite everyone, just trades him. Oh, he almost definitely will. Well, eventually.

I'm talking about like right now. He's got like six more years. Just to say screw you fans like he's done. I thought you'd appreciate this. It feels like a seltzer tweet that he would see and he'd be like, this is the greatest thing that I've ever seen. That's a pretty good impression of me.

That's really good. Did you see the tweet yesterday that it was like an owner that hates the team, a lights out closer. I've seen this movie before. Oh, the Major League. it was so good yeah it's perfect a perfect it really was it's been good dude like they i know they got some they got some guys i mean yeah and again like they're ahead of the astros man i know yeah and their manager's good mark cotte's good manager mark cotte's really good yeah so and then final point on the Astros before we get out of here.

Yeah. We're just talking AOS baseball, baby. That's what we're doing here. You could really use the Astros putting Ryan Presley on the market. Mm-hmm. He doesn't look very good, though. You think you can fix him here? You think we can fix Press?

I mean, if World Series winning closer, that one I'm right about. He's multiple, right? He's one multiple. Was he the closer for I think he was a setup guy in 70 yeah I think so too dude again final thing

on the Astros what a stupid podcast why do people listen to this podcast I have no idea so dumb I have no idea why anyone ever listens

and Tucker just sits here like stone face yeah yeah it's almost like I can't tell if he's likes it or not yeah he's definitely listening cause he's like looking at't tell if he's. Likes it or not. Yeah.

He's definitely listening. He's like looking at us. Sure. Yeah. Engaged. I'm focused. But it's like stone face. I don't want to mess with the magic.

Like he doesn't even. I'll like look over. Like I was like that was funny. And Tucker's just like. Yeah. Are we. Do you like this podcast? It's all right.

Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I didn't start listening to it before. I know. They started paying me. Yeah. You want me to.

Want me to listen to High Hopes. You got to pay me 50 bucks an episode I'm not I feel like that's the only way anyone would listen I don't I don't like me

final point on the Astros like which it's it's so eerily similar what the Astros did in like 14 and what this current Orioles thing looks like

oh yeah it's it's wild wild and it's the same execs. Yeah, well, it's the exact same people whenever, yeah. So which is better? Bregman, Correa, Springer, Altuve,

or Gunnar, Adley, Jackson? I guess like every other prospect. Kirstad, whoever, yeah. I mean, so I'm more excited about that. I think the Orioles guys, as prospects, I think they're better. I think they're more, but like,

you have to give it to the guys who won multiple world series and, you know, were awesome. Now, granted, there may be had some,

you know, one time, you know, other, but they also have like, I mean, Ryan, Matt Castle,

Ryan O'Hearn. No, they're dudes. I know. Oh, I mean, they're, they,

I mean, Corbin Burns, essentially, they're Berlin. The Orioles are super fun, man. I, I,

I, Gunner, Gunner. He's, that dude's a freaking their Berliner, right? The Orioles are super fun, man. Gunner. Gunner. That dude's a freaking stud. And Adley. I mean, I would love – I mean, Adley's a superstar. Jackson really let me down. Yeah, that was a tough first go of it.

But that happens. I mean, people might not know it. Mike Trout's first month in baseball was a disaster. And then he got sent back down, came back up, and was Mike Trout from then forward. But, you know, this is a very normal thing. I guess I didn't realize it. I forgot that him and Harper debuted on the same day. They did?

Yeah. Clearly, I didn't remember that either. Yeah, they made a big deal out of it the other day. Especially because it wasn't opening day. That's pretty wild. I remember that it was, like, the same time they were – like, I remember it being around the same time. I certainly don't remember it. Who could forget? Don Brown was

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

We analyze route running, target share, and all the metrics that matter, giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers. As you prep for your draft, let us give you the coverage you need. Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, should we talk Philz? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let's get back to the Philz.

All right, I think the biggest thing out of the weekend, we'll get to some other specifics, but I think the Turnbull thing is probably the biggest thing going on with the team right now. Obviously, Taiwan, we talked about his last start. Could have been better. Well, it's him versus Logan Wembley on Sunday. Oh, that'll go well.

Who's going to win that matchup? I feel great about that. The Phillies are going to win. But, yeah, I don't know. The Taiwan thing is whatever. have to here's my question here's my question yeah a do you think it is important for Turnbull not to pitch all season innings wise like do you think there is something to the idea of keeping the arm fresh giving him some time off or if you were in charge would you just let him roll forget the Taiwan part of it and then how many starts from taiwan do you think it takes to potentially go back to it if he's well so it was interesting

thompson talked yesterday pregame and he said he he wants to keep his arm he wants to keep him lengthened out and what he said was it was it seemed like it was more about and it was very coy but he was like yeah this is to piggyback me with Chris Sanchez. And I just don't buy that. I think this is a, we'll keep him stretched out, we'll piggyback him with some of the guys. When Taiwan stinks, we're going to go back. But if Taiwan struggles, we are getting Turnbull back in there.

And I know the 54 innings thing that he pitched last year, I know he missed the year before, but he's got a 1 six man like i i think it's smart to to manage him like manage his innings but i also don't want getting too far removed from the rotation so he could struggle if he gets back in there so the thing that i've been wondering is so obviously we've talked about the six-man thing i don't really want a six man thing and obviously and obviously zach wheeler clearly does not want a six man thing but i wonder if they could keep wheeler on his thing and then kind of mix and match yeah and like nola you know usually does better with more rest i don't hate it so like if you you could go that way keep wheeler on his regular day and then put Turnbull in there.

And then sometimes maybe Nola gets two days extra, or this, or that, whatever. Look, I love it. I think it's a great idea. I don't know why you can't keep... Well, again, it's the question of, do other guys feel like Wheeler? Do other guys feel like... And we know that Nola's been better with long rest,

but just in general, in terms of mentally going forward, will Nola be all right maybe going six days sometimes, five days, seven days, whatever it is? Will these guys, can they all function with it? Because Wheeler clearly couldn't. Now, the other interesting part about Turnbull that I think has to be factored in, given how much Sir Anthony has struggled, is could he be a high-end reliever?

Yeah. The stuff is there. The stuff is there. The stuff is there. It's hard for guys to do that, though. I know. Especially in the middle of the season. Unless you're Mason Miller, then you can do it. The stuff is there. The stuff is there. It's hard for guys to do that, though. I know. Especially in the middle of the season. Unless you're Mason Miller.

Then you can do it. Yeah. No problem. The annoying part about where Turnbull's at right now is, you know, early in the season, it felt a little smoke and mirrors. Yeah, no, it feels real now. Dude, everything. You walk anybody.

Like, the command, it's super impressive. And all this stuff looks like it's just taking a little bit of a tick up. And I know it was only five innings, and I know it was like 98 pitches or whatever, but obviously you take that all day. Maybe they could use him as a high leverage kind of guy and see how he does in that role. They talked yesterday about wanting to keep him stretched out

because I think it's definitely Taiwan insurance. Again, I just don't know what you do with Taiwan in that role. They talked yesterday about wanting to keep him stretched out because I think it's definitely Taiwan insurance. Again, I just don't know what you do with Taiwan at that point. Do you make him the long man? Well, he can't be. I mean, I guess he could be Dylan Covey. Mop-up guy? Yeah, serious. Mop-up guy Taiwan? But seriously, I mean, what else is he qualified for at this point, you know?

$72 million mop-up guy. That's a win right there. What you signed him for? I will say the more Turnbull keeps pitching, keeps pitching great, I think it's insanity to take him out of the rotation. I really do. I mean, baseball is a game of runs. It's a game of while guys are locked in,

while guys are hot, you take every... It's like fantasy baseball. You know, if you got a dude on your team who's locked in and playing great, he's going to be in your lineup, even at the expense of someone who's playing better, who's a better player. Like it's all about who's hot,

the runs. And like, and this guy is locked in right now. It just seems, I think you just get what you get out of him. Like it really does seem look, especially because you know, the innings thing,

sure. You have to be worried about it. It's part of the sport. You can find times later in the season to get him some time off, especially if he's struggling or tiring, but ultimately, theoretically, unless he is just great and keeps being this great and puts himself in front of Chris Sanchez, you don't even need him in the playoffs.

You're not going to need a Spencer Turnbull start in the playoffs if all things go according to plan. You're barely going to need a Christopher Sanchez start in the playoffs if things go according to plan. So just win games while you can with this guy is my general thought. Wasn't it funny that there's been some talk of, like, well, why don't you get Sanchez out of there? It's like Sanchez pitching to, like, a 3-6 right now, too.

It's like everyone's – Exactly. It's like five innings, four runs. It's like it was a disaster for Sanchez. Yeah. You know? And, listen, the last two starts had not been the most pro Sanchez and it's been interesting seems like as he's and when he was at his best and when he

was like dominating going on his run he's back to like 92 now he starts trying to throw a little bit harder might have thrown off his arm slot because that change-up's not moving and he has no feel for it like it's it's it's almost like he's pulling it all the time. And I've never seen... That start was maddening. It was maddening. Because I've just never seen so many changeups that just look like a curveball to a righty.

So it's one to monitor. It's about Taiwan, but I also think it could be about Sanchez. They got to figure out how to get his changeup back to where it was because, again, it was one of the best pitches in the sport or one of the best changeups in the sport. And he's had it this year. I mean, that 10 strikeout game, he was awesome. I know.

He's a little bit off mechanics-wise right now. So it's one to monitor. But, yeah, i look forward to spence turnbull fishing me too every fit me too so i would like to keep them out me too me too all right uh what else from uh and i'm serious obviously how about bomer dude was it 15 straight now i think it's 14 but either way i think it's 50 either way he's i mean i'm still batting what 360 i mean dude it's unbelievable we talked about last he's still batting, what, 360? I mean, dude, it's unbelievable. We talked about it last pot, and you said it coming into the season.

I thought you were dead on correct about, you know, we talk so much about Schwarber. The most important lineup thing with this team by far was the cleanup spot and who could step in and fill it. And, I mean, obviously it's early, but, I mean, Boehm is perfect right now. Perfect. And I appreciate it. And it was the guy you wanted it to be. You did say, I think it needs to be Ale, Boehm is perfect right now. Perfect. And I appreciate it. And it was the guy you wanted it to be. You did say, I think

it needs to be Alec Boehm ultimately. I was cool with giving JT the start because I thought JT looked good in spring and he's the veteran and stuff like that. But I, it just, he looks like, he just looks so confident, you know, at the plate right now with Boehm. Totally. Totally. It's like he walks up there like,

you know the old saying, you're seeing a beach ball right now? That's what it looks like with him. And there's just a couple, even his outs. Well,

he's freaking crushing balls right to the wall. Right to the wall. And then also, even the strikeout in the first inning, that was an outside pitch. He was right to hold off it.

Called out, and he looks at the other and he's like, nope. And it's just like, you could see like the command the dude like he was right i believe he did throw his helmet still still but well after but at first he like looked and he was like no it's wrong you're not i'm not talking about not

getting upset about it i'm just saying like he was right like he had the right read of the strike zone like he's just been so locked in yeah and it's it's good because because bryce had a pretty rough road trip i mean yeah he did all things considered got the hit yesterday but otherwise was really really really struggling. And he had the big hit. He had, again, I've never seen

so many ground rule doubles in a road trip in my life. Especially in Anaheim. It felt like there were six of them per game. But Bryce, in game two of the series, just missed a home run.

Just missed a home run. So even in a clutch moment, it's like, all right, he's still got it. And it's nice that in times when Bryce struggles, the offense isn't completely greater. I know they struck out

18 times yesterday, but they also had their seed lineup out there. Their getaway lineup out there yesterday. When guys like Rojas and Cassianos come through, that's the point. So they can kind of lift it up. You have to sit Rojas after the home run. No. Again, look, the Martians start kind of lift it up you have to sit row house after the home no no again like in it look i'm i

the the martian stott adam lamb against tough lefty thing like it's fine like but it's like do we always have to do it like does it always have to be like these guys like i need these guys playing like they're gonna probably end at like 140 something i need them in the 150s you know i mean like 156 15 Like, what are we doing? I think he's overdoing it. At a certain point, you got to give these guys, and I know that guys have been struggling

and Marsh hasn't been as good. You know, he's cooling down a little bit, but like, just at a certain point, you got your line. And I know you got to get guys in and they're playing a lot of games. I'm not mad about this.

I'm really not. I know there are a lot of people, they see the lineup, they freak out. What the hell are you doing? I'm not there. I'm just monitoring it. Good people. They see the lineup. They freak out. What the hell are you doing? I'm not there. I'm just monitoring it. Good.

Is that fair? We love a good monitor. Yeah. Although I will say, I will say, Whit Merrifield's heating up a little bit. Dude. Like, finally looking like Whit Merrifield. Which, again, not crazy. Do we think he was never going to hit again?

Tell me that opposite field hit in the first didn't just look like Polanco. Oh, it was like a clone. Not the first, the second. Whatever. It looked like Polanco. Ripped a double, too. He's been good. Good.

Great tag on the stolen base, too. Just quick tag in there. Listen, we love Stott, but he also has to start producing a little more i mean because wit is clearly a second base like i know they move him around and stuff but whenever you watch him play like he just looks so much more comfortable and so fluid at second he's a solid second baseman hey yeah he's not great but he's solid 100 so it's good to see that that as of right now like the first month was bad but you're starting to see some signs of life from wit right and you know maybe forces away into the lineup a little bit so yeah it was a uh again

the 18 strikeouts yesterday were frustrating and there's just i keep i my only thompson complaint is that you know early in the season i could i saw the logic behind a lot of his moves and like if they didn't work out they didn't work out but there's it feels like in the season, I saw the logic behind a lot of his moves. If they didn't work out, they didn't work out. But it feels like on this road trip, there was more of like, what are you doing with that? And it's the trust in the guy's thing like we've talked about. He does, man. I don't like the uptick in questionable moves.

I agree. I think histick in questionable moves. I agree. Because I think his culture is really, really important. And just like, unfortunately for this team, or fortunately, however you want to look at it, because they're good, it's hard not to watch every game like, how is this going to come back? Of course.

How is this going to come back to bite them in the postseason? Especially with Thompson decisions, because we've had two postseasons in a row where Thompson decisions have come back to bite them in massive important ways and in spots where every single phillies fan was watching and saying don't do that you know so it's like it's not just one of these things where it's like 50 50 oh i would have brought in kimbrough i wouldn't have a hundred percent of phillies fans were like don't do that so like it amplifies it and it does make it the type of thing where when he keeps doing these things, even in the regular season,

we look at it and say like, Oh, I don't, I thought you were going to make different decisions in these situations. And obviously you hope in the playoffs you will, but I'm with you. We'll see. Yeah. It's a bit concerning. All right. Take back in a sec. Shout out to the Miller light account of the week. JT bankers. Today's show is sponsored by Miller light and JT Bankers in Sellersville. Check out JT Bankers for every Phillies game and enjoy $3.25 Miller Lite pints, great deal,

on their wings with kick-ass barbecue sauce. I am a big fan of anything that is named kick-ass barbecue sauce. Miller Lites for Phillies win, celebrate responsibly. JT Bankers, a great name for a place, too. Like, yeah, you know, Jackford's name test, like JT Bankers, winner. I thought it was about JT Real Muto the whole time.

I was like, wow, JT Bankers. That's right. If JT starts going off, we can call him JT Bankers. There you go. You can bank on JT at JT Bankers. All right. That's right.

After my first question for you here, I have... Oh, you have a question? I do, yeah. Oh, good. You did break a cardinal sin of this podcast we will get to that in one second yeah i did funny i sure did whose breakout are you are you buying more and it's okay well i don't really want you to answer both do you buy

do you buy bone more do you buy ranger more i buy Ranger more. But again, I do buy both. I even tweeted the other night, I think the Boehm breakout's real. I believe it. But I mean, I said before, everyone's like, oh, Ranger, he's like, look at him, he's like 10th for Cy Young. I think Ranger could win the Cy Young.

I think Ranger is one of the three guys I would pick to win the National League Cy Young. Right now, moving forward, I am all in on the Ranger breakout. I think we're in for a Cy Young type season from Ranger when it's all said and done. I think I'm boomed. Whoa, I did not expect that.

I think I'm boomed. I think it's real. And I think it's real too, for what it's worth. Because you know Ranger's real. Tell me how you're able to go boom over. Because I think I love the swing decisions. And I feel like we're watching a guy mature into his into being a full-on major leaguer in front of our eyes like the defense already dude he's already surpassed his career war

like he's has he really well his season high in war really he's already surpassed it really it's pretty much the hot month. But that's insane. It's not like he's been bad. He's been a major leaguer. Yeah. Wow. I buy the hit tool. I buy the swing decisions.

He's a really tough out right now. Yeah. No, he really is. He's a tough out. And he's a classic case of sometimes you've got to give these guys some years. Yeah. What a thought. He was the third pick in the draft. he was the third pick in the draft.

He was the third pick in the draft. And I'm just letting everyone know the bone better than Riley take is, is it's simmering. We're taking, might have to take it out. Might have to take it out of the vault. Bring back an old faithful. It was,

of course, what is it? Was it last night that Riley had the walk off hit or is it? He stinks. Good. What is it? Was it last night that Riley had the walk-off hit? Or is it? He stinks. Good. I'm really happy. What are old Austins so far this year? What is Riley doing?

Dude, he's batting 235 with two home runs. There you go. There you go. Fraud. Bum's way better. Bum's 10 times better. 387 slug? Can't relate.

Cannot relate. So you, one of the things that we've emphasized. Get to address. One of the things we've emphasized in this podcast, and I would say one of the commandments of the podcast. Yeah, you've made it a commandment. Is we don't curse. We don't.

We don't. Where are you going with this? Kids of the Delaware Valley yesterday were scarred for life. No, they weren't because no one heard it until it was heard in a sanitized version. Yeah. But you dropped a big old F-bomb

on the air yesterday. So, I mean, what do you got to say for yourself? Josh Harris, man. You're a pro. That's how mad Josh Harris makes me. Here's do you got to say for yourself? Josh Harris, man. You're a pro. You're a pro one time. That's how mad Josh Harris makes me. Here's what I have to say. Thank God for John Middleton.

Like, what a treat it is to have an owner of my team who I believe actually cares about my team and cares about winning and cares about me as a thing. Cares about you. Cares about you. As a dad. So, John, thank you. Thank you, John Middleton. And I stand by what I said about Josh Harris. I hate the guy.

Okay. That's where I'm at, you know? Own your team, buddy, and stand up, and, you know, actually make us proud. So my one thought on this. All right. Only one. On the ticket thing.

Okay, good, good, good. Because I don't, like, I got to be honest. I thought there'd be... Okay, good, good, good. Because I don't... Like, I gotta be honest. I gotta be honest. I think it's more embarrassing than cool. Well, that they did it. That we've gotten to this point. That we had to do it, yeah. No.

Also, it's like... Them being bullied into it makes it a lot less cool from them perspective as well. Like, they did it because they were publicly shamed as well. I hate... I hate the idea that Philadelphia, I know.

It's not how we, it's not how the city was built on. It wouldn't happen if it was in the Park. It just wouldn't. And I'm so annoyed. Everyone keeps being like, well, I see Mets fans. It's in the Park. It's the regular season. If the Phillies and the Mets played in the playoffs, I promise you, I would bet my life. Yeah, there'd be some Mets fans in there. There would be, of course.

Like that building is not being taken over by Mets fans. A 0% chance. Less than 0. Can you be less than 0? Less than 0% chance that building is taken over by Mets fans. I'm sorry. It's not happening. It's like, enough with that.

Oh, but the Mets fans come to the main park. Yeah, in August, when the Phillies are bad, okay? Very different thing. Thank you. Except for two years ago when they let uh the seventh the the general throughout the first pitch well that was a that was a mistake yeah mistakes were made they rectified it that will never happen again they learned from it okay yes uh that was less than i did poor trouty i mean sucks i honestly can i be honest with you when i saw the trout news

you know my first thought was sorry for mike my immediate second thought was sorry for jack like i went straight to you more than mike like i felt it's like mike whatever he deals every year he's got hundreds of millions of dollars like for you well he's only missed what 290 games this was like you like it was a radio thing you'd ask a trout you don't think like this is like a passion like you know we we had bits planned at the radio station for you. This was a Fritz thing, and it got yanked from you. He's only out four weeks, and maybe. Hopefully.

Maybe. And it just lowers the asking price. I love that spin. Because here's the thing. He was trending towards being MVP trout again. It cost a lot. Yeah, yeah. He was on his way to...

He was leading the league in everything. Yeah. So, besides batting average. I cannot believe his average is 235. Yeah. But he's got 10 homer. There's... Nah, you know.

A minor step back. And Castellanos, I hope he enjoyed Anaheim. I hope he enjoyed Anaheim in his time out there. Yep. Yep. And final thing here. As a take, as a take, aged better. A lot of. And final thing here. Has a take has a take

aged better? A lot of my I will say I've heated up on the baseball thing. Yeah, you got some some takes that have aged better than we thought. Once I figured out

baseball again it went away for a little bit there. Like 2013 to 2017 it wasn't playing much. Yeah, none of us were. No, it was bad. It was really bad. The Joe Adele take has aged pretty well.

Joe Adele's a pretty good player. Yeah, he's solid. I wish they would have traded for him. Yeah. But regardless, a minor victory left about Joe Adele being serviceable. Serviceable. I mean, he was like a top three prospect in the sport at one time. So was Don Brown.

Yeah. Not that. So was that bum Jackson Allida. Much more impressive when before the season starts. You're like, look at this guy in low A, Orion Kirkering. I think he could help the Phillies this year. That was a take today. That was an all-time take today as well.

Joe Adel is fine. Joe Adel is a minor victory left. One of the best prospects in baseball became a serviceable player. He was terrible for a long time. He was. For a long time. And I don't think he was ever top three, but he was like a top 30. He was pretty high.

No, he was high up there. He was pretty high. He was high up there. So that's all I wanted to say to close out the podcast. I'm really happy for you. Thank you. I'm happy that you thought to bring that up. And I was going to see Mick.

And it was nice of Joe Adele to strike out against Soto yesterday. Yeah. It was a very, very, very important strike. Yeah, it was nice to see Mick. I was going to see Mick. And it was nice of Joe Adele to strike out against Soto yesterday. It was a very, very, very important strike. Yeah, it was nice to see Mick. It was nice to see Mick. It was. That is a bad baseball team. Yeah. Like, without Mike Trout in that lineup,

it is an ugly... I mean, like, I like Renegro. Like, I think he's a fun player. Like, he's your five-hitter or your four-hitter one day, whatever. Well, Taylor Ward's a good player. Taylor Ward's fine. He's your three-hitter, Taylor Ward. That's player. Taylor Ward's fine. He's a three hitter.

Taylor Ward, that's what you got? I know. It's all right. They're bad. And, well, Pablo Sandoval. 10's right. Not great. Not Pablo Sandoval.

Patrick Sandoval. He was a longtime Fritz guy. Fritz guy. In fact, I got some serious fantasy losses last year from his first few outings having him on my team. No, my first instinct on Fred Skye is always wrong. Like last year it was Patrick Sandoval, and then this year it was D.L. Hall. Yeah. Everyone after that's pretty good.

Well, you have one other bad one. You get a little lockdown, Brewers. Aaron Ashby was a tough call. Aaron Ashby was horrible. But otherwise, you've been pretty great. Again, we talked about Bryce Miller and Nick Lodola. I mentioned them on the last pod. What did they do the next day? come out and freaking deal man and then

ladola 11 strikeouts forgot everyone in the lineup what a stud what a stud official statement on my brewers guys that are fritzless guys yes when they're good because i have info when they're when they're bad it's because you did it on your zone no no when they're bad, it's because you did it on your own. No, no. When they're bad, it's, he was wrong. Oh, I like this. That's good. It's not me. This is, this is strictly.

Yeah. I like it. Yeah. Someone, you know, I'm sure people could do some sleuthing and figure it out. It's not that hard. All right.

It's really not. I don't know how many people are paying attention. That's a good point. Yeah. Yeah. Back when the Phillies were, we're not as horrible. Yeah.

Horrible. Horrible. All right. You got anything else? I don't think so. So weird series this weekend. Oh, by the way, if you're going to the ballpark tomorrow, I'll be there. Friday night, hanging with my brother.

I'm taking my brother to a baseball game tomorrow night. Not you, my other brother, little Pete coming down. Okay. So Pete and I are going to go to a baseball game tomorrow. Are you going to wear the City Connect? No. No, but it is funny because i we were we were trying to decide whether you're a fryer sorry and fry was what worked out and he's like part of the reason he

wanted to go saturday was so that he didn't have to watch the city connects i was like dude come on like you're being ridiculous he's like but you know i'm only going to go to a couple games here i'd like to see the phillies play and you know philly i'm like bro like think about it as a novelty it's pretty fun to go watch that weird uniform game. So when it was 4.05 a month. That's how much he hates this. That's the point. Yeah.

So when it was 4.05 on Monday, I was like, oh, they're in San Francisco. So that was the other thing I was going to bring up. Why are they playing at 4.05 on Monday? Such a weird, it's a wraparound. I have no idea why. Apparently, it's Park at the Park on Monday for that. So that's always fun to watch. I know those are Emily's favorite games to watch.

Like, dogs, dogs. But, so it probably means we'll record Tuesday, which is weird, but that's what we'll do. Sunday night's Iowa. Yeah. Is it a Sunday night game? So we wouldn't have recorded. Okay, so that's perfect.

But we'll be back on Tuesday, four games set with the Giants coming to town. Are you a little – what level of bummed are you that it's no longer the Gabe Kaplan thing? It takes a little fun out of it? A little fun out of it. Although it will be nice to see Bob Melvin again. Yeah, sure. We can thank him personally. Be like, Bob, thank you. We should give Bob a standing ovation. We should. Thank you, Bob.

The Josh haters are not working out so good for the Astros. No, it's not. It's been a tough year for the Astros. Real shame. Did we talk enough Astros on this podcast? If we really think back. We could, we could find something to talk about, you know,

is there anyone from the Astros we can steal the trade? Can we get Kyle Tucker? Cause that'd be pretty, I know we, I know we don't need a left-handed bat, but I just, I love that guy. Yeah.

I love that guy. I think he's such a fun player. Anyway. I agree. That's all we got. Yeah. We'll be back. Four game series.

Hopefully, what split? It was what? Always a split. Always a split. Always a split. Yeah. Anything but three out of four. Yeah.

The other way. We'll take it. All right. Until then, these friends themselves. We'll see you next time.