High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Shoulda Taken 2 of 3 and Pivetta Traded

Episode Date: August 24, 2020

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are back as the Phils lose a series in which they should have taken two of three. Oh and Pivetta got traded, which is sad.  Listen! 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

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Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the high hopes podcast. It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies on radio.com and sports radio, 94 W Y P. Is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast And Jack, I'm just excited that I didn't have to do a super angry yo Which felt like it was where we were going

And then Andrew Knapp somehow made an amazing play at the plate The great Andrew Knapp made a play at the plate And I'm still upset with the weekend But I'm like 5% less upset, Jack Because your guy Andrew Knapp made a play at the Playton. I'm still upset with the weekend, but I'm like 5% less upset, Jack. Because your guy Andrew Knapp saved the season? Love that guy, man. I mean, I've always said you

don't get better at backup catching than Andrew Knapp. That's what I've always said. I just want to know where you were when Knapp saved the season. I mean, Knapp literally out of the playbook of Cameron Rupp and Tyler Goodell. I mean, they saved the Philly season last night in a series where they should have taken freaking two or three. I mean, whatever.

They should have taken two or three. I'm happy they won last night. It felt like a season saver. But, like, I don't know. It felt like a season saver. But, like, I don't know. I can't tell if I'm, like, I can't tell if I'm mad that they won 2 of 3 or that they lost 2 of 3 or that I think they're trending in the right direction because they really should have won 2 of 3.

I love that that's even a thought in your mind. I'm incredibly mad they lost 2 of 3. Like, that's even a thought in your mind. I'm incredibly mad they lost two of three. Like that set, look, first of all, just to show up for that Friday game after what you did in Buffalo on Thursday to lose that second game the way you did, and then just get boat raced 11-2, no shot, Nola looked awful. Like, I don't know. That in and of itself felt to me incredibly, incredibly disappointing.

But then on Saturday to come out and get the 4-0 lead and just do it again, man. We've already had three losses like that this year, Jack. That's our third gut punch loss of the season. I know. So I'm definitely more in the disgruntled than happy cam well i mean they only had leads in all seven of their last seven losses it's so unbelievable it is so hard to believe that that is a possible thing that could have happened it uh it shouldn't be possible like here's the here's the most frustrating part of this and the the for me it's the fact that this team is definitely good like they're

definitely a good baseball team except for the one thing they need to hold leads it's like if if matt clint i know whatever clint but like if he didn't completely botch this offseason like we wouldn't feel like we're wasting a philly's team like we're it feels for the excited as i had to sit down every night and and honestly if we did the podcast sunday or whatever like i had this whole thing planned where i because like honestly i sit down every night and i i i'm excited and i'm giddy and i talk myself on the team and then like three hours later it's just pure torture like it's i feel like an idiot i feel like an idiot every single time i sit down when I watch the fills.

But like if they just address the bullpen in the off season and they didn't have to make these two panicky trades this weekend, it's like we're looking at a team that we could get really excited about. We're looking at a team that is not two games out from the eighth wildcard spot. Like we're looking at a team that we can be talking about, could this team make a legitimate run? Could they get to the NLCS?

Because the offense is that good. The starting staff has been good enough. I mean, Nolan and Wheeler have been, everything has advertised. I mean, Wheeler, I think he's actually been better than advertised. I mean, he's not striking guys out, but he's going deep in ballgames and giving you a chance like he did on Saturday. It's just the bullpen is such a freaking cluster bleep that you can't even fully buy into anything they do. I mean, Bryce is talking about going on and winning 9 of 10.

It's like, how? How is this team going to win 9 of 10? Well, they haven't won five in a row since 2018, Bryce. Let's worry about getting a five in a row before we start talking about 9-10. But the craziest thing about that statement, too, is that he's flat out wrong. Like, they don't actually even need to win 9 of 10. That's how crazy this playoff setup is. I mean, right now, two of the 10,000 teams making the playoffs in the National League right now are sub-500 teams.

And one of them is a 500 team. I mean, like, the Phillies aren't at all even close to out of it, even though it feels like they should be. And to your point, Jack, I would go so far as to say that if they had a major league-capable bullpen— I'm not even talking about, you know, one of the best pens in the league or something. A major league-capable bullpen, they're in first place right now first place like it's that big a difference it's that that's how much this has mattered they are historically bad it's a bullpen so it's and i know we've said this before but you were just kind of hitting on something that i think is really so far through 24 games been the theme of this team this season is that it's not even fun to watch

because you can never enjoy it because you're always waiting for the hammer to fall like it sucks a lot of the fun out of watching this team because the offense is you always know that there is not just the potential but the likelihood that that bullpen's gonna it's all gonna come crashing down jack it really is sucks some of the fun out of the season yeah i mean like i'm still like i don't know i i'm still loving watch i'm still excited and all that it's great to have baseball back but you know what i'm saying like when you watch these games like it does like you just can't get as invested in a a you know beginning or early lead or whatever because you're just always dreading. Yeah, and I think that's fair.

It's like they get a 4-2 lead and all of a sudden you're just holding on to your butt because you don't know. You're just expecting them to blow it, which is a really frustrating way to live, especially with your baseball team. It's a frustrating way to go about life and the thing is like me and you are very similar and i'm sure the high hopes

listeners are the exact same way like we live and die with this team like i i don't really get mad about sporting events anymore like i'll have my i'll get my small little bursts out like when the eagles lose or something goes wrong sixers like they've just killed me from inside like i just oh i'm dead inside with this. Honestly, I was fine with them getting swept. I didn't even care. I'm so beaten down and dead with that team. Yeah, exactly.

But the Phillies, it makes me legitimately, legitimately angry. I usually get over losses in a half hour. I have a half hour rule where i would where i just get over it and whatnot i mean saturday night obviously i had a few pivetta got traded they blew a game oh we'll get there i had i had money on the game and i they lost and i was just i i finished a pint of ben and jerry's i ate like four mochis oh my God. Dude, it was a dark. It was one of those nights. Yeah.

The beginning of a rom-com when the girl breaks up with the guy and he's just spending weeks at home by himself. That was you. Yeah. I've grown a full beard. It's just, yeah. Saturday was a really, really dark night. It was just a really, really, really dark night. I had the same reaction for what it's worth it was funny because it wasn't as bad a loss as the toronto one where they're up seven nothing or that baltimore

one and that crazy game with the sagura you know missing the ball but it felt worse to me because it was just like almost like a you gotta be bleeping me like you have to be kidding. Really? Again? Yeah. Yeah. I mean, because it's just like, it's like, how much pain are we supposed to take here? Like, I know the Mets have it bad, and I get it. But it's like, just, I feel like no one loses harder than this team. I agree.

They just invent ways to lose. And now they, why did they put together the bullpen the way they did? Like, it just... You know that... It's Matt Klintak and John Middleton. They both are to blame. And again, and we'll get to this trade for many portions of it, but this trade is a perfect example.

The idea that they basically gave away Connor Seabold because they wanted money back, so they can go over the tax. It's just like... It's perpetual. It's in everything. It's ruining everything, Jack. Yeah.

Well, at least they won on Sunday. All right. Let's talk about the trade first, and then we'll get to the games because the trade did really kind of happen during the Friday night game. Honestly, I stopped paying attention after that. I was just – Let's talk about it. Let's start with the most important part part and then we'll get to the actual

important parts. I mean, the floor is yours. Jack, Nick Pavetta is no longer a Philly. I know, but I will say that high. I'm wanting Nick Pavetta.

I think is a sign that he's definitely good. It was definitely the best thing that could ever happen to you for what it's worth. I mean, how long did we beg for the Phillies to hire High and Blue? I mean, it was all we wanted. It was all we cared about. Like, it was our whole thing.

Right. And this guy sees the spin rates, sees the talent right in front of him, and says, you know what? I'm going to take a shot. I mean, they're going to have to give up a better package to get our two pretty average Major League relievers. And I'm going to take back a guy with a chance to be really good

in Nick Pavetta and a guy in Connor Seabold who I think could be a 4-5 in a rotation. But yeah, losing Pavetta hurts. Obviously, those who listen to this podcast, I mean, Nick Pavetta is my favorite filly and I know that sounds ridiculous and what not but let's go inside Jack's shoes

for a second are we sure we want to do that? it seems a little dangerous in there there's a lot going on but let's just take this through step into my shoes for a second. I'm a young man trying to start out in this crazy sports media field. You know, I think I know baseball.

Played it my whole life. Pitched in college. I mean, pitched poorly in college. Was physically present for two years of college baseball. Kept the book for 53 straight PSAC games. And I'm trying to break into the media right and trying to you know what's going to be my my my what's gonna that looks me the way that i stick out and you know i started developing a little following with the phils you know they're they're my favorite team i live and die with their games uh like i didn't watch much during the rebuild because I was trying to be a member

of that Phillies team. So I start here and Nick Pavetta comes up and I'm like, this guy actually has stuff. They had brought up Sean O'Sullivan and just dog crap pitchers over and over and over again. Just absolute terrible pitch pitchers and then I see Nick Pavetta and I'm like this guy has talent this guy has stuff and I'm like you know what I'm gonna I'm gonna hitch my wagon this guy I believe in this guy a little bit Nola Pavetta anyway then he looks pretty good in 2017 to finish the season well and and everyone in the last offseason heading into 2018 was writing about Nick Pavetta. Actually, it was 2019 was breakout Pavetta. Yes, yes.

Heading into 2019. That offseason, the 2018-2019 offseason. Yes, 2018 was pretty good. Everyone was in. I mean, like, it was a thing. Remember? I mean, he was getting drafted in the mid-rounds of fantasy drafts. The Phillies made him untouchable ins the phillies made in on it the

phillies made him untouchable and trace phillies made one time remember those rumors he was untouchable he was the number two starter to start the season yeah and is that my fault probably i mean you played a role yeah all i'm saying all i'm saying is that if you're ever looking to break in and and stick out like just go all in on guys and and choose wisely i did not choose wisely um i put all my not all my eggs i mean it's unfortunate that like i can't tweet anything without people being like well you like pivetta and it's like oh my god whatever but like i loved them i really did and i hitched my brand to hashtag break up a VEDA. And I would talk about it on the radio,

talk about it on high hopes. I would tweet about it. And unfortunately everyone started buying in and he did not hold up his end of the bargain, I would say. And, um, put it that way.

I met him in spring training and that was great. Um, yeah, that was the peak. And then it is. Yes. Yes. That was the peak. But listen, he was my favorite Philly.

I had a lot invested in breakout Pavetta. If he ended up being really good, it would have been a great, you know, a feather in my cap. But unfortunately, it didn't work out that way. And but unfortunately it didn't work out that way and i know it didn't work out that way i'm not one of those guys that doesn't admit when he was wrong i was wrong now now i still think there's talent in there and i think he could be good and i think the fact that high and bloom traded you don't need to say it anymore like high and bloom if i am bloom wants anything to do with him there's at least something there yeah high and one of them which means breakup of edda was kind of right.

It's the most perfect thing that could have happened for you. I will say that. It is way better than him being on the Phillies for you. Well, what if Haim sucks? I mean, Haim could be bad. It's possible. I don't think he's bad. Yeah.

I don't think he's bad at all. It's highly unlikely, but it's possible. Highly unlikely. And maybe this is the move that gets him back to Philadelphia once they once they fire him in three years but breakup of it is over and honestly it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders honestly my first thought like it's on but i was i was i was very down was my first thought what a relief for jack oh my gosh it's like now i don't people are gonna bring it up but now it's not like i gotta watch him get shelled and like no one's really gonna be paying attention to red Sox games to see if he's going to do well and tweet at me.

Well, they might now, but I will be watching Red Sox games to see how he does. It's over. I'm glad it's over. I hope we can all move on. People are going to think I know baseball again because I got one pitcher wrong. Sue me. But I'm going to miss him. I'm not really going to miss him. But I'm wishing him all the best. You'll miss the idea of him.

Yes. I'm wishing him the best in Boston. I am not rooting for Brandon Workman or Heath Embry to fail because I care about the Phillies more than I care about Nick Pavetta. I know some people don't believe that, but it's true. And honestly, honestly, this is the God's honest truth. We never lie to the High Hopes listeners. That is what this podcast is all about.

I'm more upset about Seabold being a part of it. Wow, that is a big admission, my friend. I really liked Connor Seabold. I really did. I thought he was a couple of mechanical changes away from having a wipeout slider with a jumpy fastball and a good feel for a changeup. Like, I really liked the upside of Connor Seabold. And just the fact that this is the bigger problem with the trade for me.

I think it was a horrible trade. It was a horrendous trade. Like, an embarrassing trade as far as i'm and those listen hembree and workman will help the phillies there's no major league relievers they're better than what we had there's no question they're not they're nothing crazy i mean they're workman's had a good year like the last year workman has been a good pitcher but they're not like elite relievers elite relievers um yeah so the so to to have to save or have to get back 815 000 because that's the because we don't want to go for the luxury tax it's just a freaking joke man it's an embarrassment it's embarrassing it's embarrassing as a philadelphia

phillies fan in a big market it's like what are we what are we even doing here you know are we like royals are we the oh no wait the royals you know won a world market. What are we even doing here? Are we like Royals? Oh, no, wait. The Royals won a World Series more recently than we did. But you know what I'm saying. Are we those teams? The small market Phillies? It's like we're seriously worried about those luxury tax when, again, it should theoretically be easy to stay under next season.

There's almost $45 million coming off the books. If you go over this year, you should be able to stay under next year unless they're planning on going out and just continuing to buy, buy, buy. I don't know if they are, but it's just frustrating. It's just beyond frustrating that they have to give up a guy in Connor Seabold who could be a rotation piece and Nick Pavetta for two journeyman-ish kind of relievers just to save $800,000. And only one who's signed past this season.

Right. I mean, you're talking about a 30-game rental, 35-game rental. Like, that's crazy town. You're getting Brandon Workman for 35 games in a season where you're not winning the World Series. Yes. And so, first and foremost, what you just mentioned, the idea of trading potential assets down the road,

particularly Seabold, for any sort of rental for this sham of a season where you have no chance to win the World Series is malpractice, period, end of story. To have to get the money back. And the reason they gave up Seabold, they're not giving up Seabold if they're not asking for the money back. They could have given up a worse prospect. They gave up a better prospect so they could get money back. Think about that. That is the type of thing that small market teams do. It's a joke. We should all be embarrassed by it. Every day that Matt Klintak is the general manager of this team is a day that this team has no future. That's how I feel about Matt Klintak is the general manager of this team is a day that this team has no future. That's how I feel about Matt Klintak.

That's how I feel about the Phillies right now. Like, this guy has to go right now. And the idea that he's making trades with Brian Cashman and Chaim Bloom, it's like, oh, my God. It's like asking my daughter to try and make a trade with a grown adult. Like, what are we doing? Well, I don't—I mean, I think Klintak's a disaster, but it's also – it's a mandate by Middleton. Like, I don't know how much – Well, I know. That's why I mentioned Middleton before.

I agree. The luxury tax part of it is a Middleton thing. I get that. I'm not just saying Klintac for the luxury tax part. That's why I always bring Middleton into it because I think the luxury tax part is a joke, but also just the general idea that Matt Klintak is trading away assets for the future for stopgap bullpen pieces right now does not get me excited, especially because this bullpen is going to suck anyway, man. Like maybe they're going to go from historically bad to just bad. Look, we already saw it. Brandon Workman is not at a sterling entrance into Philly

and I'm not, you know, two star, two outings, whatever. But like these guys are not changing the season. This is not something where all of a sudden this bullpen is going to be dynamite or whatever quickly, quickly. I just want to comment on Pavetta and then we'll get back to this tree. But, um, much like you and Nick Pavetta, that's what I did with Andrew Knapp. I've tied myself to his career and I'm very excited about how great he's doing. Um, yes. Kidding, kidding. Um, but here's what I'll say about Pavetta. And I honestly believe this. And I think it's just another ding on Matt Klintak that the Phillies failed Nick Pavetta a lot more than Nick Pavetta failed the Phillies. And I guarantee you, there are a lot of people, everybody was like, yeah, you got rid of Pavetta. That's so smart. Let's get rid of him. The fact that high in bloom is

coming in and taking Pavetta from the Phillies just shows that the Phillies failed with him. And look, maybe he never turns into anything, but there were pieces there that they could work with and they didn't. They didn't develop him. They didn't turn him into anything. And now he's in Boston. And that's fine. Again, at this point, I was fine to never see Nick Pavetta pitching in for the Phillies. Like it was too far gone, but don't act like this is some genius move getting rid of Pavetta. It's not. It's basically a symbol of failure is what it is. Yeah, and it was especially rude that they gave his number away to Heath Embry.

I thought that was just disrespectful. It certainly didn't help you out that Heath Embry was dynamite as far as that. Yeah, and a bunch of this guy's so much better than Pavetta tweets. Yeah. Yeah, and a bunch of this guy's so much better than Pavetta tweets. Yeah. Well, I will say that it's just bad that a guy that you thought was a number two and you wouldn't trade for anyone a year ago, you're having to package with Connor Seabold to get some stopgap bullpen pieces.

Like, I don't know. I think Pavetta ultimately failed himself by not getting better. And, you know, I don't know how much to fully blame on the Phillies. But their mis-evaluation is just, I mean, that's a total whiff. Like, that's just a total whiff. For as much as you want to make fun of me about Pavetta, that's fine. But, like, my whole point was, like, sure, be mad at me. But the Phillies believed in Nick Pavetta.

This was not just me i didn't make him the number two starter i did not trade him for anything um i didn't make him untouchable in trades i didn't do all this stuff to prop up pavetta all i did was believe in spin rates and his 97 mile an hour fastball like that's all i believed in the phillies legitimately were all in now could it have been their fault because they're listening to IOPs too much because they're big fans probably? Yeah, it could be their fault. I don't think so. We're not listening enough, Jack, as far as I'm concerned.

I would agree. I would agree. If they were listening, they would know that Haim should be the general manager right now. Yes. Yes. But I can't wait for the – I truly can't wait for the – I'm honestly at the point where I'm at anyone but Klintak. I guess Dave Dombrowski is like the one name that comes to mind that would be a disaster for me. wait for the the the uh honestly at the point where i'm at anyone but klintak i guess dave

dombrowski is like the one name that comes to mind that would be a disaster for me no i'm terrified i'm just i'm just i'm just so out uh again like it's just every day and every move and all this stuff you just see a guy who's overmatched a guy look we don't need to go down the met klintak hole again like i think everyone knows where he's standing we're not going to stop talking about it because until that guy's not the general manager of this team my opinion of this organization will be worse than it will be the day he's gone like that's just how i feel like as long as john middleton employs that guy and his believes in that guy in any way shape or form like then i know the power structure of my favorite team is never

going to be successful so that's how i feel i need I need changes. Dude, he had to give up. He gave up a legitimate bullpen prospect. Yeah, for a guy who got DFA'd. Yeah, a guy who got DFA'd. What are we doing? I mean, David Hill's fine. He's fine. He's okay.

He got DFA'd. Yeah, that should be a, hey, we'll give you a player to be named later. Yes, we'll give you cash or something. I know the Phillies are too cheap, but that's what that type of deal is. and now the yankee the yankees will have ass and rust throw like 50 splitters and oh you know he's gonna be nasty there he's gonna be great it's gonna be you know setting up uh whatever other amazing young reliever decides to be their closer someday

or whatever when chapman i mean it's just what it is he'll probably be setting up for chapman like next year it'll be great we We'll see. I'm actually... But I am... There's two things. I'm one, nervous to see what they do for the rest of this trade, like how they're going to operate. Is this their move or are they going to make something else? I don't know. I'm worried to see what they're going to... Well, did you see what Jeff Passan suggested?

No. Well, Jeff Passan said if they have a big week... a bad week this week, he said if they lose the majority of games to Washington and Atlanta, there are a lot of people around baseball who believe that they would. And I do not think they will. I don't think there's any way that you make these moves and then do such an about-face. And Passon mentions that it would be a massive about-face. But if they have a really bad week, he's like, I wouldn't put it past them to trade Romito.

Wow. That he's an asset and that if they if they're out of it if they're done but he's like it would be really hard for the organization to do that considering what their fan base and he even had signed jt in the article like how the fans are yelling signed jt which well done everybody it's going national the signed jt thing um but like i don't think there's any way they become sellers over the next week, even if they lose five of six, I think mentality-wise. Essentially, if they become sellers, if they trade JT, whether or not it's a smart baseball move,

considering the position they're in, Matt Klintak is basically admitting failure at that point. He's basically admitting, all right, we were supposed to contend, and now I didn't, I failed. So I don't think it's going to happen. I think Matt Klintak, part of the impetus for making these trades or fixing up the bullpen is I do think that his job is on the line and I think

he's trying to save it. So I think it's far more likely he adds more than subtracts. But man, it just I'm terrified that he's going to give something away for another asset that's not going to make this team enough better. You know what I mean? Hey, you know what I don't want? I don't want Matt Klintak making a JT Real Muto trade.

Yeah, I don't want Matt Klintec making any trades. Again, I don't want him making any roster decisions. That's where I'm at. Yeah. Oh, my God, dude. Imagine if they tell Bryce, like, hey, we're trading JT. I know. Can you imagine?

Oh, my gosh. I would love to be a fly on the wall. I mean, I feel like you don't you kind of feel like bryce is about to snap i i wouldn't blame him i feel like he looks angry he does he looks angrier well and we've talked about this before but he looks like he doesn't look like he's having a ton of fun well and and joe gerardi said i guess he was like dog tired that's what he gave him the day off it feels like it feels like bryce is kind of uh wearing the whole team on his back or that that's the way well he certainly put them on his back so far this season,

so I'm sure you feel that when two guys are literally carrying the team for stretches. I mean, that's tough. Well, three, Nappy. Of course. Terrible job by me. I should have said JT and Harper are, like, helping carry the team. Well, I mean, they could trade JT and then just

make Nappy full-time catcher well that's the that's really the point there right why even sign JT we're good Girardi literally said in the manager show yesterday that he is doing what he can to get Andrew Knapp in the lineup and I just could not believe those I mean it's like it kind of makes sense here's the thing of course it does he's hitting. Yeah, but he's still like, it's still not like impressive. It's still singles. He's not like launching balls. I mean, it's still nappy. I'm happy.

Don't get me wrong. Like, good for him. Good at bats, Jack. Good at bats. Look, I'll take him over to Scott Kingery all day, every day. How about that? That's depressing. What if Clint Tack is playing chess while everyone's playing checkers and he traded

for a workman and Hembree a week early just to flip him at the deadline for more than Pavetta and Siebel? That was actually something that was suggested too, was that if they become sellers, that workman would be an asset they could sell. Jay Bruce, like Passant had a whole list of the idea that, um, if the Phillies wanted to be sellers, they really do have assets that they could sell. But again, to your point, I don't want Matt Klintak doing that. I don't want him in charge of this.

I'm so beaten down by Matt Klintak, Jack. I really am. They got J.D. Hammer for Pat Neshek in a normal year, and J.D. Hammer's not anything. They had to give up Pavetta and Seabold in a year that doesn't really matter. A joke of a year, yes. Whatever.

Weird value. But listen, I'm not worried about them selling because I got to be honest with you, I think they're about to go on a run. I really do. There he is. They're going on a run. Listen, last night's game was a

season turner. A shot in the arm. A shot in the arm. It's time to go on a run. Bryce set the tone when he said we gotta win 9-10. Now they probably won't win 9-10, but I think they're gonna turn the season around. I think that was a legitimate jolt for this baseball team.

Hembree looks really good. Workman's a work in progress, which is a little terrible and doesn't make me feel great. The curveball, can we just find the release point, Brandon, or are we just going to throw worm burners like Donovan? How would you find the release point on the one pitch that you've thrown your whole life? Well, Hembree looked good.

They have legitimate bullpen pieces now. We've got to get Neris on track. But when you win a game like – Neris is a disaster, Jack. Neris is making me nervous because the splitter is not splitting, James. Or he's tipping it off or something. I mean, no one's swinging at it. I just don't think it's moving.

It's possible. I mean, to get no swings and misses. He had no swings and misses on it in the last setting. Zero. It's crazy. Well, I don't know. Hector goes through these things, though. He had no swings and misses on it in the last half. Zero. It's crazy. Well, I don't know. Hector goes through these things, though. He does.

That's what sucks about it. He got sent out of the minors. We know. Last year. I mean, come on. Yeah. Well, two years ago. Two years ago, yes.

It's a little frustrating with Hector, but I think he's just so streaky. I trust he'll get back on track. Jose Alvarez, hopefully he's on the way back. They had to put him on the 10-day I.L. I don't know. We kind of said it last year. Actually, we definitely said it last year after the Harper walk-off. But those kind of wins can kind of galvanize a locker room.

I don't know. I don't know. I liked it. I liked the energy after it. How many times have we done this? How many times have you and I talked on this very podcast and been like, this is the one. The season's turning around.

This is season turnaround win right here. Doesn't happen that often, Jack. One of them's got to be right. One of them's got to be right. Like, I remember the Bryce Grand Slam and us having to re-record after we had done it because we thought they were losing and the excitement. And this is the moment they're going to turn it around.

Yeah, they fill it out after that. I know, and the bullpen's still bad, but... It's horrendous. The starting staff is better, the lineups is better, and they have some competent bullpen pieces down there now. There's some signs for a turnaround. The run is coming! They should have won two or three in Atlanta.

You know that. They should have won two or three in Atlanta. They should have won two or three in Atlanta. You know that. They should have won two or three in Atlanta. If they won two or three. They should have won two or three everywhere. They blow everything. Okay, but guess what? Heath Embry and Brandon Workman and David Hale are here now. They weren't here last week.

Oh, goodness. The power trio. Thank God. If they were in the Blue Jays series, they win probably both of those games. This team's going on a run. I'm telling you right now. You know when they win the Blue Jays series? If they had the Blue Jays bullpen, give me Jason Romano and those guys

and we'll be fine. They don't have the Blue Jays bullpen. But at 30 minutes and 17 seconds into this podcast, I'm telling you right now, this team is going on a run. I don't care if you laugh at me. I don't care if anyone out there laughs at me. This team is going on a run. Okay. Okay. laughs at me this team is going on a run okay okay i hey jack let me put it this way i really hope you're right there's nothing i want more than this team to go on a run i just i don't see

it right now man i don't see it i hope i look you got high hopes which i appreciate it doesn't take much no it doesn't well speaking of high hopes there are a couple things I want to get into from the games that we've kind of been talking macro, but high hopes, if we want to get real with high hopes, the thing that right now I am most excited about is that Alec Boehm is a hitting machine, Jack. Like, he's now granted a borderline disastrous third baseman. I mean, it's not good he's a dh but jack like

this is the this is the most sound hitter we've had come up in a really long time in this organization yeah yeah i just i love honestly like bry like Bryce is always appointment television, JT too. But, but Boehm is a guy that I try to make sure I watch every single at bat of. Because they're just clinics. I mean, you don't really get to see many young guys come up and show the kind of play discipline he has. And he does damage within the strike zone. And it's just, it's just really impressive. And I ran some of

the numbers today on where he's at. So he's top 25 in all of baseball and barrel percentage, which is like barreling up the baseball, um, hitting the ball hard. Um, he is, uh, he is, he has a hard hit percentage of 57%. So 57% of the time he's hitting the ball 95 plus miles an hour off the bat, which is nuts. I mean, that's just nuts. Just consistently able to put the barrel on the baseball. Doesn't chase out of the zone. So his O swing percentage,

which means swinging at pitches outside of the zone, is 22%, which is also in the top 20 of Major League Baseball. He is not just a pull hitter. Obviously, we've seen that. That's what's been so impressive. I mean, the homer alone, a perfect example, but he just takes the ball where it wants to go. Yeah, 57% of his batted balls have been to center field,

which is nuts. That's a huge percentage. And striking out. I mean, doesn't strike out on top of it. So he's only striking out in 15% of his at-bats at just top 30 in all of Major League Baseball. Like, the guy... Again, for a guy who just started playing Major League Baseball.

I mean, he's never played the majors before. He's 24 now. Like, that is incredibly impressive to be in that type of rarefied air in terms of where he ranks this season for those types of things at this age with his experience. And pitchers will

adjust I mean they always adjust and he'll go through his lumps but like I just don't see them being prolonged because because he spits on curveballs out of the zone like he hasn't had any trouble catching up the fastballs you know and and I kind of wrote it in the piece I put on WIP today like for the longest time it was Rendon and it was Freeman. Like sure, Harper is always the best player in Washington and Acuna is the best player in Atlanta now. But like Freeman and Rendon always killed us. I just never have confidence that they were going to be able to get those guys out whenever they came up. And especially in late game situations where there's like a runner on second and third and one out.

And it's like, oh, here comes Rendon. And he's just going to drive a ball to the wall. You know, first pitch, just tattoo it. And that's how I feel about Alec Boehm. I just feel like he's going to be the guy that for 10 years, the other NL East teams are just going to hate because he's going to come up and he's going to jump on whatever reliever they bring in. He doesn't wait around for two strikes and then battles way back. If there's a first pitch in the zone, he is looking to do damage within the

strike zone. And the Phillies for a long time had preached that. They were trying to get guys who would do that. And Boehm's really the first one that has come up and done that. He's very selective. He knows his strike zone. He has very good strike zone recognition. Balls outside of it, he's not going after. And the balls that he knows are within the strike zone. He is attacking and he is consistently barreling up. He just consistently barrels up the baseball. And I said it when he was coming up, but 325 to 30 homers and 100 RBI, that's what I'm expecting from Alec Boehm every year going forward for the next decade. I mean, that sounds awesome.

I'm with you, man. It's impressive to watch him. You know, again, for someone coming straight up from the minor leagues to be just this confident at the plate and like you said his pitch recognition is so impressive he doesn't swing at bad pitches it's like it's apparent when you watch him it's um and and he looks like he still is going to grow into that body a little bit he's still a little lanky i think you're going to see more power uh you know as he gets a little so i i'm just jack i'm with you i've been so impressed now on the flip side man oh yeah it's bad can they keep rolling him out there third i

mean because he's been legitimately bad like a a liability defensively for this team what do you do i mean because you got he's got to stay in the lineup every day especially coming up development all that stuff like he's in the lineup every day like i don't care he's one of like three guys that i feel like has to be in the lab every day no matter what like i that's just the way it is but what do you do i mean can you keep rolling them out there at third every game and just hope i guess i don't really have anything to lose but i don't really see it getting any better like he just seems like his fundamentals are off um like he just says anytime there's a ground ball to his to his right yes to his right i just have no confidence he's gonna be able to get it i feel like he hasn't gotten one yet it's it's unbelievable

jack it's like unbelievable it's like he's never played third base before it does look it really does look like that the amount of bad throws the amount of like just poor positioning he doesn't get his body in front of the ball like it's crazy it's crazy yeah he cannot throw like it just it's horrendous it's like he starts thinking about it too much and then he clearly does he like he is definitely doing the think about where i'm going like pushing the ball type of thing instead of just uncorking throws it's it's really strange to watch with a major league player. You don't see that very often. Yeah, well, I don't think I've seen a third baseman as bad as – like I don't think I've ever seen a third baseman as bad as –

Dude, he's up there. He's legitimately up there. He's among the worst fielding infielders. I mean, outside of first baseman. He's one of the worst fielding infielders I've ever seen. Yeah, it's just so bad. I have no idea. I don't see the downside to DHing him.

I think he should be a DH. He's a DH. It's okay. Just let him go ahead. Edgar Martinez made the Hall of Fame. It can happen. We're all good. Yeah, if you want to go Rake as a DH, sure. And, you know, Segura can play third. Kingery can get him back on track.

And Haseley and Quinn in center field, I mean, sure. There's a path there. I just think that they want to – You mean Gosselin and not Kingery? Sure. I think they want to make sure it's a failure before they really do anything. I think so, too. I think it's trending in that direction.

I mean, it always reminded me a lot of Braun. I mean, Braun came up in 08. Jack, that is a perfect perfect comparison it's the exact one i was gonna make ryan braun is the perfect comparison yeah i mean braun came up and he was a total disaster at third um and they moved in the left field and he was fine in left field and i think boom boom can catch the ball the problem isn't catching it's throwing and and dude look he was horrible but reese Hoskins played a year of left field. Alec Boehm could play left field.

Yeah, he moves better than Reece. That's my point. Exactly. He's got to be able to handle it, at least to a certain level, right? Yeah, I wonder how his arm would play out there. His arm looks strong, but I can't totally tell from third base.

He kind of just allays it over there sometimes. So, yeah, it's not going to end well. Like, he's just – unless – yeah. I mean, he works really hard at third base. I think it's gotten better since when he got drafted, which is saying something. But I just don't – I don't know. That is saying a lot, buddy.

Yeah, I just don't know. That is saying something. I would get him in left – well, they can't put him in left field until Kutch is gone. I know. Right now he's a DH. Well, they can't put him in left field until Kutch is gone. I know. Right now he's a DH. Why not? Why not DH him?

What else are you doing with a DH? Why not? It's not like they have an everyday DH. It's like Jay Bruce who's hurt right now or this or that or whatever. Just DH Boehm because he is a true disaster defensively and the badass to be there. All right, a couple more guys I want to ask you about. I think we could – I don't really even need to ask, right?

We could both agree Kutch is back, right? Yeah, although, did you notice, I think it was Saturday, Swanson. Swanson tagged up from second base on a ball to left field, and I couldn't tell if it was because McCutcheon, it wasn't looking like he was going to get fully behind it and make sure he was going to make a good throw. I couldn't tell if it was that kind of play or if they know in the scouting report that he's not. I couldn't tell.

I couldn't tell, obviously, but it wasn't a great throw for what it's worth. No, and he didn't get much behind it. Yeah. And it doesn't look like he's getting much behind it, and he still looks like he's not moving totally well out there, but the bat definitely looks like it's worth. No, and he didn't get much behind it, and it doesn't look like he's getting much behind it, and he still looks like he's not moving totally well out there, but the bat definitely looks like it's back. It's looking much quicker. He's starting to drive it

a little bit, so yeah, Kutch is definitely back, and he's not walking as much as he did last year. Yeah, or like the last few years, really. But I do like that he's driving the baseball again, so I'll take it for now from Kutch. Yeah, I think it's headed in a good direction is the point. You know, he's finally, the timing looks like it's back.

And again, you would expect anyone who's that age, who is off for an entire year and rehabbing an injury at the same time, like it would make sense that it might take you a little while to get back in the swing of things. I feel pretty good about where he's at offensively. Reese, look, he's, offensively reese um look he's you know we had the the opposite field homer in boston we got excited about hit another uh was last night i think uh that i like an old school reese hoskins homer like a jack to left field

we're like oh wow that's actually gonna be a home run pretty cool um he's been better where you at on reese i i have maintained i'm good with good with Reese. I have not changed at all. I think he's batting. I think his last 10 games is 286, 423, two homers, and six RBI. That'll play. We'd like to see the power back more consistently, but that'll play. What sucks is he's actually doing pretty good two-hole things it's just that he's not like reese hoskins should be a middle of the lineup bat like he's being a good two-hole

hitter um he's just a perfect a perfect two-hole hitter it's kind of what you want out of your tool hitter exactly it's just that it's reese hoskins he needs he needs to get back to driving the baseball yes i wholeheartedly agree though Though having Boehm and Boehm, you know, just being as ready as quickly as he is does mitigate it a little bit from a lineup perspective. He's given you some of those RBI potential, you know, from later in the lineup, but he's still batting 7th or 8th,

depending on the night. Move him up, by the way. Move him up. But here's the thing, and here's why I don't think he'll do it, and I think it makes sense, because then he can kind of get trapped in the three-better minimum rule. Like, I'm cool batting him six to keep DD five

and keep it from right, lefty, righty. So if it goes... Well, DD doesn't... I'm not saying DD needs to be moved down. I mean, DD's been great. DD's batting over 300. Yeah, I think he's like 299 maybe or somewhere right around there and uh yeah 289 he's uh 344 obp at 470 slugging i mean dd's been great dd's been everything you want he's been other than that one play in the toronto game he has been or was it the bossing game whatever no

it was it was toronto it was toronto i was it the Boston game? Whatever. No, it was Toronto. It was Toronto. I was right the first time. Yeah. I mean, other than that one play, like he's been, he's just a, we've talked about it,

but a joy to watch play shortstop makes things that shouldn't be as easy as they look, look easy. I'm all in for DD being here for more years. Like I'm so in on DD. He is super fun to watch. The home rune at last night was just a rocket.

Like one of those ones where you could tell the right fielder didn't think it was going to be a home run off the bat. And then like starts to go after it. And he's like, oh, never mind. This is definitely going out of the park. So it was one of those ones. I've been really impressed with DD. Anyone else? I want to get to the pitching in a sec.

But anyone else in the lineup you want to talk about before moving on to pitching? I mean, Bryce had a 470-foot bomb. I mean, it's just like old hat now. I know. It just sucks we're not getting this for two things. We're not getting this for 162. I want to see what they would have been like

over 162. Me too. I want to see if he could beat those 2015 numbers and have that season to point to and be like, I told all of you, all right? I told you. Yes. And it just feels like they're wasting an MVP, Harper. I know.

And JT is actually, he's been struggling a little bit recently. So it would be nice to get him back on track a little bit. Yeah, I agree. And obviously, started out hot. Look, I didn't expect him to... He was on pace for, what, like 100-something home runs in a normal season early on.

Yeah, he had a higher home run to batting coming up. Home run per bat? Yeah, per bat than Bonds did in 0-2. So that probably wasn't going to continue. No, especially as a catcher. Yeah, JT will be fine. All right, pitching, from what we saw this weekend um i definitely definitely definitely wanted to get your thoughts

on zach epling because for me he's been the one guy of you know like you said at the top when we were talking about the team nolan wheeler obviously nola wasn't great this weekend but nolan wheeler been really good and giving you what you need, especially Wheeler, who has not had a bad start yet. I mean, he has been very, very, very consistent of the other three guys. Eflin's been the one to me who has flashed the most, but it just seems like he can't put it all together. We're still getting these five, six, five, between five and six innings. He'll strike some guys out. He's going to give up three, four runs. And it's just, it feels like there's, there's more there with Eflin, but we're not getting it.

Yeah, well, he's just been inconsistent. It seems like he's taking a little bit to find his mechanics in a start. Like, if you notice the first three innings last night, he was missing with his fastball middle, middle. He wasn't finding the right release point. And going back to the Boston start, I felt like he was cutting himself off a little bit. And then as the game goes on, he kind of figures it out.

And, you know, sometimes that's what pitchers are. And I don't want to put him into the ace category because he's definitely not. But a lot of ace-level pitchers, the old saying is you got to get to them early because they figure it out and they go from there. And that's kind of how I feel about Eflin. Unfortunately, it takes him like three innings to find it and not the one that most aces

need to find it in. But I really like Eflin. I mean, he's hard to consistently square up because he's 95 with sink. And then I think the slider is a good pitch. And I would like to see him develop more of the changeup. I'd like to see him get to where Nola is with his changeup where you feel like he'd throw in any count because I think a sinker, I think a 95-mile-an-hour sinker

paired with an 85, 83-mile-an-hour changeup is just really, really hard on hitters. And it seems like he has really easy mechanics, so he should be able to repeat it and consistently throw over strikes. So I'd like to see a little bit more out of the changeup. But overall, I just think he's a really good 4-5. I don't know.

I mean, if you're looking, let's say, to next season, Nola Wheeler, Howard Eflin, that's good. Yes. You can go to war with that. Yeah. Now, if they didn't give away Connor Seabold, maybe he could be in that 5 spot. At least they got cash back, Jack. Don't forget that five spot. At least they got cash back, Jack.

Don't forget the important stuff. At least they stayed under the luxury tax. Thank goodness. When I heard rumors of the trade, my first thought was, oh, no, it's going to put us over the tax. What are we going to do? I should have known that they would never let such a thing happen, Jack. I know. They would never let such a thing happen.

Love this organization. It's super fun yeah so you know i i think ephelon's definitely a guy that that four or five he's gonna on most nights give you five to six innings with the potential for more i mean we've seen him go on streaks where two out of three starts he's throwing complete games so um he's definitely a guy that can get hot i just think right now his mechanics are a little bit off early in games i like to see him maybe uh change up his pre-game routine right now his mechanics are a little bit off early in games. I'd like to see him maybe change up his pregame routine. Sometimes

that helps a little bit. But yeah, I'm cool with Eflin. He's not going to overpower you, but five innings, three runs or less sounds about right for Eflin. What else you got? You got anything else on the pitching staff or it's take bag time?

Yeah, well, pitching staff or it's take bag time? Yeah. Well, I mean, pitching staff wise, I could not believe that Jojo Romero hit 97. Oh, I meant to bring up Romero. I knew I forgot something from my rundown. Jojo was nasty. And granted, it was in a blowout and a meaningless inning. But, dude, he looked great. I was super.

And it's super fun, too. Does not feel like a baseball pitcher when you see him strut out to the mound. But he was great. Yeah, and, like, my thought was, like, what the hell was Austin Davis doing on this team when Jojo Romero was right there and could have given you at least something? I mean, like, what are we doing here?

97 had – it seemed like he had a pretty good feel for three of his pitches like that's something you can work with i i could not i could not believe that we kept austin davis around for so long when jojo same thing with same thing with that like you said before but same thing with blake parker like why wasn't parker on the roster start this season like it's clear that they have mis-evaluated some of these relievers. 100%. Definitely disappointed in that. Henry

looked really good. The thing I liked the most about him, and he said it post-game, was I've been in this position a lot. He's been coming into high leverage spots for that Red Sox team. He's on the World Series team. The team last year was pretty decent. So I really like what I saw from him.

And honestly, my main problem with Heath Embry is I keep wanting to call him Allen Embry. Remember, because I love that Red Sox. I loved him. He was an Indian, too, back in the day. Yeah, well, that 0-4 Red Sox team I just loved. And I keep wanting to call. I've watched so many documentaries on the 0-4 Red Sox.

I keep wanting to call him Allen Embry he was a nasty lefty I loved Allen Embry Allen Embry and Mike Timlin I always thought were the same guy and I know it's going to sound like an overreaction but I trust Heath Embry with my life I saw you tweet that

I'm putting full confidence in Heath Embry I actually chuckled when I read that tweet. It was very clever. Tommy Hunter looked nasty last night. What a miracle. Two strikeouts. Clean inning. What an amazing night for Tommy Hunter.

Hey, Tommy's looked pretty good recently. Yeah, I'm sure every time out he's going to be locked down. He's not going to be locked down, but I would say on most nights he's going to be pretty good. D'Elias Guerra, DFA, thank God. Thank God. Saving Joe Girardi from himself if nothing else.

Yeah. And my final thought on anything pitching. Actually, no, I've got to add another line to this. Did you see 6-0? Yeah, sadly I saw Sixto. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

It's a real kick. Holy smokes, man. What would we be doing if we had Sixto? Oh, my God. We would be losing our minds right now. Who was drafted and signed internationally. The first thing you hear is 18 throwing 100 miles an hour and everyone's like the next page and it's like easy it just looks easy when he does it it's it's effortless

that he just pumps in triple digits it's like cool man great he's so good i know that uh pitching ninja if for any baseball fan on ears doesn't follow pitchingitching Ninja, you would be wise to do so. It's a really fun account, but he basically just tweets out all kinds of gifs and like overlays and stuff like that. Did you see the one he put out with the three pitch sequencing from six to with like 100 miles just like wedged in the middle? It was like it was unfair. It was not a fair at bat. Yeah, he's definitely bulked up. He's not the skinny kid anymore.

He's pretty ripped. Yeah, that's going to be fun. It's going to be a lot of fun. If they don't sign JT, I'm going to be in a dark place after watching him. Yeah, I think we all are, Jack. I think we all are. He's so good. He's so good.

Two more things here in my little mailbag. I'm mad at Cole Hamels, and it's not for blowing the 2009 World Series. I was going to say, when are you not? I feel like you and Cole, this is a... I mean, the slander is real. So this is not for blowing the 2009 World Series. But he has been working with Max Freed and teaching him how to add and subtract on his pitches.

So why Max Freed has gone to another level, I think we can trace directly back to Cole Hamels. And I don't like that. I don't know if it was worth the $18 million the Braves are paying him. But Max Freed is untouchable, and it is all Cole Hamels' fault. Okay. We'll add that into the con list for when they decide to retire Cole's number,

whether the pros and cons of it, that'll go on the con list. I will be out there with the Fandemic crew. Oh, I know you will be. Booing. I'm not gonna boo cole hamels i like i love i loved cole hamels um but i think it's uh i think it's ridiculous to retire his number but um other thing the draft order is not being determined by record which hurts yeah it's not determined by record it's determined determined by it's a lottery or something? It's record and last year. So it's like a mixture of both.

Oh, that's stupid. Yeah. So I'm very sad. I no longer. I even had Yak for Jack. I was trying to think of a good Kumar one. Like lose more for Kumar. It didn't work out well.

But I was actually working on these things. Yak for Jack, Jack. Yeah, Jack Leiter Jr. Now we can't just Yak for Kumar. It didn't work out well. But I was actually working on these things. Yak for Jack, Jack. Now we can't just yak for Jack. Well, we can still get Judge Fabian, which would be amazing. I really want Kumar Rocker. That guy feels like a star to me. He just looks like a big game pitcher.

The name isn't a star name. Everything about that guy just feels like a star to me. I'm all in on Kumar Rocker. Probably not going to happen. Everything about that guy just feels like a start of it. I know. I'm all in on Kumar Rocker. I love him. But probably not going to happen. If the Phillies had lost on Sunday and we had recorded a pod, that was going to be my whole intro was, all right, what are we going with?

But they didn't. And I was less sad today than I was yesterday. Yes. And final thing. Let's put it this way. I spent way too much time trying to think of fun pun type things, and I got nothing for Kumar Rocker. I did horrible.

Maybe you should leave the puns to me. Well, give me one. I'm ready to roll with it. Well, we're not getting Kumar now, so there's no point. And my final thing is that a friend of the podcast, Pat McCarthy, stopped by Four Fingers

yesterday, and he also loved High Hops. If you're looking for a nice session IPA to enjoy with some Phillies bullpen losses, it'd be wise to pick up some Four Fingers. There's many of those to enjoy it with.

And they're being canned soon, I believe, right? We're on the road It would be wise to pick up some four fingers. There's many of those to enjoy it with. Yes, yes. And they're being canned soon, I believe, right? We're on the road to canned them? They are on the road to being canned. Yes. That's going to be major. There's plenty, plenty of Phillies-related stuff on the first design of the cans. So look out for that.

And yeah, beer. I can't wait for that. I can't wait to have them in my fridge at home and I can't wait to drink more of them. Cause it is a lovely, wonderful beer. Uh, four fingers brewing.

Check it out is the official brewery of the high house podcast. All right, Jeff, um, my final thought. Um, and for anyone, uh,

we're recording this Monday evening. Yes. Uh, so if you have the opportunity to listen to it tonight, maybe early tomorrow morning, tomorrow at noon. Oh, yeah. Yeah, there's something going down as I'm sure we'll be streamed, WIP, whatever.

Jack Fritz will be pitching to Mr. Luck into a home run himself, Elliot Shore Parks. And all I have to say, Jack, is that I, on the radio today, said that I would bet my house, my actual house that I own, that I have a mortgage on, that I would bet my house that Elliot will not get a hit off you. So, Jack, you better not make me look bad. That's all I'm going to say. Well, that's a lot of pressure. But I saw his bat speed today in his video, and I'm just fine. It's going to be no problem. Good. It shouldn't be.

It's really slow. To quote John Ritchie, it looks like a child holding a bat that's too big for him, was what Ritchie said. Yeah, like Elliot's in his 30s. How does he does he look so weak he looked really weak in that i agree like it was like like almost like the bat was gonna fall out of his hands he was swinging it but oh yeah he's incredibly confident like way too confident i know i wonder like if i jam him like his hands are gonna be stinging he's never actually said to me, I, we did the go birds pod and he was asking me, he's like, well, I hit it off a pitching machine. How's that any different with Jack?

I'm like, do you realize that Jack is not going to throw it in the same spot every time? Right? Like, it's not just going to be like right down the middle in the same spot, like a pitching machine, man. This is a human being you're going against. Like, and it's going to move. It's going to move. So yeah.

And I said, yeah, and exactly. It's, it's going to move in many move so yeah and i said yeah and exactly it's it's gonna move in many ways i'm very i'm very nervous that i'm gonna hurt myself but whatever well i think that's really the the biggest concern for you is you're gonna try and gun it up there so either you're gonna tear your arm up oh yeah let's let's dr james andrews is gonna be on speed dial here here's what i will say uh i think if it's a choice of tearing your arm up or giving up a hit to Elliot, tear your arm up. Yeah, 100%. 100%.

Yeah, I would. The High Host podcast would be no more. And I would probably move to Alaska. I mean, Jack might break as a human if Elliot does anything good against him. So we need to root against that happening. Yeah. Yeah. It would not be great at all.

All right. Everyone check that out tomorrow. I'm like, I'm dreading it. I just, I'm nervous. Just go in knowing you're a thousand times better than him and just do what you do. I can't wait to see his reaction to a curveball. I can't either.

I told him he's more likely to wet himself than get a hit. Wow. Feel good about that. Wow. Alright. Good luck tomorrow, buddy. Thanks. Ohio Ops Nation, you can watch it. I'm sure it'll be streamed everywhere. I'm sure Jack will tweet it out. So check that out. And hey, Jack, how about this? Maybe the Phillies

win some games this week. Wouldn't that be cool? Listen, I said it earlier. I'll say it again. They're going on a run. You heard it. You heard it here first. Just trust me. We'll be back later in the week. I hope you're right. We'll talk about it. How about that? Alright, good luck tomorrow, buddies. Friends of Celtic.