High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Some Are Saying The Cubs Are Peaking Too Early

Episode Date: September 7, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz discuss the Phillies' series win over the Padres and a potential wild card matchup with the Chicago Cubs. 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.

Yo. It is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. I thought that was a pretty standard, proper yo, you know. By the way, presented by Miller Lite. We love Miller Lite. Shout out to Miller Lite. Yeah, it's like, you know, sure. You want a series in the West Coast. I'll take that.

That's a win. Of course, the game in between the two wins was like one of the worst performances of the season across the board. Michael Lorenz and Shine is off. Yes. But, you know, look, I'm okay right now, Jack. I'm still kind of reeling from those first two games of September. And losing that September 1st loss still kind of reeling from those first two games of September, and losing that September 1st loss just kind of set me up for where it's like, alright, I'm not

gonna, even if it is a kick our feet up September in the end, I'm not gonna be able to because I'm just so stressed about September. Yeah, for sure. Again, I just, we've said it a thousand times on this podcast, I just want to get through the month. I want to say that I was like, yeah, I'm with you in the moment. I am fully with, like, fast forward the moment.

Because it's every day that I wake up in impending doom. Today's the day. Like, today's the day. And I promise you, I'm trying to do the whole of this. Team's there, friend. They got it. But, like, it's just how I think I'm wired. It's muscle memory, dude. It's like it's just it's how i think i'm wired it's muscle memory dude it's

like it's all we know and and and it's i think it's how like i'm very excited i like i was actually gonna ask you like i guess what kind of yo it's just like a professional yo you know what i mean like i thought it was right there right that was a professional yeah it wasn't like you went out you did your job in san diego like's what it was. You didn't totally. That's exactly right. You didn't vomit all over yourself. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. The game in between. It was like. It was one of those. It's been a while since they've just not shown up for a game. It was a not show up game. We're good. Not show up.

We're good. We're just. One last night. Almost lost. But we ended up winning. That was good. We're cool. Yeah. We're good. We show up. We're just one last night, almost lost, but we ended up winning. That was good. We're cool. Yeah, we're good. We don't need this one.

Trey's back on the East Coast. Trey's having a kid. Let's celebrate. We love you. Whatever. It's all good. But yeah, no, it's just like a three. I have never in my existence as a human being been so happy with a 500 road trip.

I know. It's just like, wow, happy with the 500 road trip. I know. Like, wow, great job. Three and three, so proud. Like, just, that's such an improvement. It's amazing. They're incredible. They're the best team in baseball.

Best team in baseball. Best team in baseball. Unbeatable, really. It's a 500 road trip. It was great. I was so happy. That's ecstatic. I was so happy.

They won yesterday. I don't have to, like, freak out that, like, here comes this September collapse. And just, again,. They won yesterday. I don't have to freak out. Here comes the September collapse. Again, I don't need an above 500 month. I just want 500. Actually, at this point, we might need more. The Cubs are never losing again.

We might need to win games. That is the annoying part. All of a sudden, the Cubs are the best team in baseball. It's sickening. Great. They never lose. They never lose. I check the scores every day. It's like, oh, Cubs won again. Cubs won again. Cubs are the best team in baseball. Great. They never lose. They never lose. I check the scores every day. It's like, oh, Cubs won again. Cubs

won again. Cubs won again. And you know what I don't want to do? I don't want to go to Wrigley. Honestly, I was about to say, at this point, I'm rooting for the Brewers to get passed by the Cubs, which might happen. Alright. Sure. We just lost two or three of them. I don't care.

I do not care. I saw 0-7. I saw 0-7, what happens when a hot two or three of them. I don't care. I don't care. I do not care. I saw 07. Like, I saw 07, what happens when a hot team comes to the playoffs. I agree. Last year, I mean, the Phillies weren't like a hot team. They got hot. They were not. They got hot.

Last year is so funny looking back. It's the weirdest year. Again, we make the joke all the time, but like, three games left in the season, there are a bunch of losers who we hate, and like a week later, they're our favorite team ever. It's something. Yeah, they're getting statues outside. I know.

I'm already preparing to take off work to be at the Hall of Fame induction. I know. Again, speaking of the Hall of Fame, because it feels like a proper time to bring this up. Good pivot. I like it. It's coming, whatever's coming. It's been discussed on this podcast.

Can we just get something in between retiring the numbers and the wall of fame? Can I just have a hall of fame? Again, I can't have Hamill sharing the same wall as Lieberthal. No. There's a difference. There's a mass difference. I just want something in between there. So, in all honesty,

I agree with you at this point. It's something in between. Like, knock the wall of fame down. Restart. Just start over and have some freaking standards, alright? Can we please just start this thing? Wall of fame's fine. Fine idea. Cool. It's not the whole fame. That's cool.

But, like, Make it mean something. Again, you're doing well ticket-wise. You don't need these stupid reasons to get people to build it. People are going to show up. It doesn't need to be, again, monument park.

Think about monument park. It's special. It matters. I'm going down. I'm seeing they're not all the time. They're not all famous. Think about Monument Park. It's special. It matters. I'm going down. I'm seeing. They're not Hall of Fame. They're not. They're not Hall of Famers. Just give me something in between. I don't think they should retire Hamill's number, but I think he's better than the Wall of Fame.

Of course he's better than the Wall of Fame again. And why is he standing out on it? The guy won MVP in 1950. But this is the real. Sickening. I just can't take the Wall of Fame. I used to like it. It's Mickey Mouse. It's is the real... Sickening. I just can't take... I can't take the wall of fame. I used to like it.

It's Mickey Mouse. It's so Mickey. It's Mickey Mouse. And there's no 08 guys on it yet. I know. And then you get into like...

And then it's like, do we have to retire their number? Because we can't put... We're going to put Jimmy Rollins on the wall of fame? Right.

What? Right. But it is not a hall of famer. If you want your standard to be, you have to make the hall of Fame to have your number retired fine.

Then you need another level. Then there needs to be something in between. No, I think I agree with you now. But again, I think the real thing is start over. Just tell everyone who made the Hall of Fame, sorry. Yeah, we lost it. We screwed up. We lost the Hall of Fame.

Yes, it's gone. Someone stole it. Someone stole the Hall of Fame. Someone stole the Hall of Fame. We're starting over. Yep. We're starting over. So you're out, Le of fame. Yes, it's gone. Someone stole it. Someone stole the wall of fame. Someone stole the wall of fame. We're starting over. Yep. We're starting over. So you're out, Leiby.

Sorry, Leibs. You'll get back in someday, I'm sure. The wall of fame, and I feel bad picking on Lieberthal. He's just like the face of it. But it's like, wow. Again, if they just restarted it with, it doesn't have to be every freaking year in order to sell some tickets, then it's fine.

It's fine. Yep. But there's just no freaking way that those guys can share the same wall as the scrubs that played here before. Yeah. It's bad. Anyway, Phil stuck two of three on Sandy. Anyway, Zach Wheeler, how about that guy?

Wall of Famer? I was just about to say that. Yeah, I think he's an in-between guy. He's 100% an in-between guy. What are we doing here? Dude, Zach Wheeler is the, and you guys talked about it today. I texted you guys last night. He's just like, he's so under-talked about it.

It's not under-appreciated at all. No, we appreciate him. He's under-talked about it. Under-talked about it. Yeah. Because we hold holiday lee you know those guys in such high regard i mean totally shit but like zach wheeler's in that category i was thinking about last night jack i actually i'm so it's so when he said that like i was thinking

about last night and he's one of the four greatest philly starting pitchers in my lifetime like at least in my cognizant lifetime of the time that i remember so so shilling would be the like shilling i should put in there too and shilling so it'd'd be five. It'd be Schilling, him. Mulholland. Holiday. Millwood. Lee and Hamels. And that's it.

Like, Zach Wheeler's on the five. Like, he's right there. Like, he's not. I mean, you were just totally disregarding 2018 Nola. Yes, I was. You're right. That's a good point. And 2022 Nola.

That's a good point. Fourth in the science. I mean, look, Nola's not far down the list. Dude, Nola's. Like, he's up there. Nola's a top ten starter in Philly's history. Absolutely. Without a doubt, he is.

Like, without a doubt. What a player. I know. I know. I know. That's where we're at. What a player. Yeah.

I thought you were around for bunning. I thought you were going to say chili. I was like, I was. That was a bad job on me. I get it. That was a good job on you. Perfect label. So, a little inside baseball.

So, we have a text right now with me and my brother and Jack. By the way, people don't know, they have the same birthday. Right. Shout out to the Ides of March. It took me a little bit. Ides of March time too, which is what I named it because my two little brothers. And Jack, pretty hilarious line last night, texts the most of us and goes, have you heard about Robin Roberts 17 inning game?

And my brother, shout out to Peter, Peter goes, no, I haven't. And Jack Yost's alter was there for it. And it was a great line. Thank you. Credit where due, like set up, line delivery, like strong work. I did not mean to do that. That's the best part. You actually were going to tell us about a 17 inning game.

Well, no, but it really says that. The 17 inning game really happened, by the way. I know. Because you were there. But because they were talking about it, I guess yesterday was the anniversary of it, and Franski and Stocker were talking about it. It's like, the guy pitched 17 innings. Unbelievable.

Like, it has to be over 350 pitches. I mean, how many? I don't know. They still have five earned. And they let him just keep going. What are you talking about? It is pitching like that stuff. I just saw it.

It's so hard for a modern baseball fan. I can't compute it. Yeah. Like, I can't compute Robin Roberts pitching all 17 innings of a baseball game. It's nonsense. And, like, being able to stand. I've pitched eight innings in a game once. It's hard.

I'm sure, buddy. Pitching, I know people, oh, you stand there. It's like legs, everything. Arm, obviously. But it's really the legs. The legs are what goes. That was Clemens. That's why he had to have some help.

There's tree trunks for legs, too. Exactly. But yeah, it's so hard for the modern baseball. I just can't compute it. And does anyone say, hey, why don't we get him out? Like can we get a relief? Do they have bullpens? His arm fell off.

I'm going to go pull him off the mound. Robin Roberts throwing lefty. What are we doing here? All right. So let's say, and we know, let's say just for the sake of argument, let's say Robin Roberts threw like 92 or something back in the day. 90, 88. Well, they did those videos of Walter Johnson let's say Robin Roberts threw like 92 or something back in the day. 90. 88? Well, they did those videos of Walter Johnson.

He was 88. Really? Yeah. But he was also the fastest of those guys. I always tell people if I... Like in the 80s? If I pitched in the 1920s, I would have been a Cy Young winner. Yes, you probably would have. Alright, let's say high 80s then, whatever. What do you think he was pitching

by the 17th inning? Was he down to like 70 miles an hour? 78. I'll give him 78. Again, it's 350. It's probably not 350. That's a lot of pitches. But it's not. Back in the day, they used to throw less pitches.

I just saw, by the way, this is speaking of pitching things that we'll never see again, that theoretically at least is possible because 17 innings is actually not possible. Greg Maddux threw a 77 pitch complete game once. You just heard about that? I mean, I just saw the thing about it. Oh, come on, man. It's called a Maddux. Well, no. A Maddux is 90 pitches complete game. 90 pitches and less complete game.

Yeah, yes. But he threw a 77 pitch complete game, Jack. Yeah? That's good. I'm trying to compete in my brain how... Probably like 250 pitches. Right? You do like 120 in a complete game. Like, why are you going to 350?

How are you going to 350? Because if you have... I don't know. I don't feel like doing that. Maybe it's like 280. Okay. Either way, when you pass the 200 threshold, there's at least... Did they say it?

No. I guess they didn't track pitches then. But it's just so funny because, like, obviously, all right, so Robin Roberts threw over at least 250 pitches. Oh, without a doubt. And it's like, now we're talking about Michael Lorenzen. I know, being shot. And what he's done after 124 pitches, like, five starts ago.

Do you want to know what the most pitches estimated to have been thrown in a game was? No. I don't know why I said no. Leon Cadorre of the Dodgers estimated to have thrown 360 pitches in a game. In a nine inning game?

I guess so. I mean, that doesn't sound very efficient. It looks like this was pre-modern era. I would think so, yes. That's pretty hilarious, though. Nolan Ryan once threw, look at this, live ball era. Nolan Ryan threw, Edwin Jackson threw 149 pitches in a game. Yeah, and there's no hitter.

No hitter, yeah. That's insane. So Nolan, in the live ball era, the most astounding accomplishment is Nolan Ryan threw a 235-pitch 13-inning game in 1974. Jeez. Oh, man. Like, I just, again, and it's like, hey, Michael. I know.

Did he kick a 120? Like, come on. Come on, man. Like, your career can't be over because you threw 124 pitches one time. Like, I'm just sorry. And I know it's going to sound like old man yell at the cloud. Like, just figure it out. Figure it out. Like, I'm just sorry. I don't want to sound like an old man yelling at the cloud. Just figure it out. I'm not really

blaming the 100. I don't think that's it. He was throwing like 96 the other day. I thought his stuff actually looked pretty good. I think he's Michael Lorenzen. Hey! He's like an okay pitcher. Yes, that's what happened. I know this Michael Lorenzen.

He's the guy I know. He looks exactly like what I expected. I didn't know the other Michael Lorenzen. Yeah, exactly. And look, he also, in terms of arm tiredness, I think the career high in innings is probably a bigger factor than the 124 pitches. So I think there's a couple things. I think it's career high in innings, and I do think the nine days off screwed with him. You said that in the moment.

Because nine days off is a lot when it comes to, like, feel for stuff. Like, if you talk about my short game in golf, it takes a while for that stuff to come back when you don't. Oh, buddy. Because it's all about touch, all about feel. And when you have nine days off from pitching after throwing a no-hitter, like, that's why I think his change-up's been up every single pitch, it seems like.

But, like, either way, it's just there's – the fact that Michael Lorenzen threw a no-hitter and no shot, he's in my playoff rotation now. Well, yeah, zero. Honestly, I would start transitioning him to bullpen soon. I think it's – I think one – One more start maybe, maybe one or two, and then get him there. You want the last few weeks of the season.

You want him pitching on the pen. And you want to know what you have, obviously. Know what you have, exactly, yeah. And Rangers back now, so it's not like they need the starter. So let's do the playoff rotation thing because I think it feels pretty standard right now. I mean, Wheeler's the one. There you go. Feels like we know Wheeler's the one.

That's it. That's it's that's where we are i think it's gonna be it's gonna be nola it's gonna be nola too it's gonna be ranger ranger taiwan three and the other one four like that's that's what's likely going to be the playoff rotation i mean look i still as far like of those three look those three, like, Wheeler, go. Like, just carry us, buddy. But, of those other three, I still trust Ranger the most. Without a doubt. I hope that Tywon Walker enjoys the Kyle Gibson role from last year.

And it's just, it's funny, he's probably gonna win like a 17-18 game. Yeah, I mean, he's 15-5. It's just like, I know what that's gonna look like in the postseason. He's been like 18, yeah, I mean, he's 15 and five. It's just like, I know what that's going to look like in the postseason. I just, I,

he's just, the first couple innings are just brutal. It's a disaster. Like, it's just, it's, it is, it's just. Like, I,

I don't, I don't get it. Like, can't you be like, all right, Taiwan, like, the game starts at 610

instead of 6-40. Go throw in the bullpen like you would pitch in a game. Like, I don't understand how he can just come out every single time. Like, how is he not ready? Like, I don't get it. And if it's the NLDS and you're facing the Braves, you're facing the Dodgers. Oh, my God. Those guys will jump all over him.

The Dodgers, oh, my God. Like, Muncy and Freeman, all these guys are just going to rush him. Now, I guess the counter is, if he's won 18 games with like a 4-5 ERA. He wins games when he's there, right? But I guess you got to get the offense. Maybe the offense shows up more when Taiwan's out there. I don't know. I don't enjoy watching him pitch.

That's a really good way to put it. That's how I feel. But to your point, I's how I feel. Yeah. It's just not. But to your point, like, I don't know what it is. Like the Phillies score for the dude. The Phillies just hit when Taiwan's on the hill.

Yeah. Like, oh, we got to pick this guy up today. It's always, well, we're going to have to score today. We got to score today. Like,

he's in the bullpen there in the dugout. Like, all right, we know what we got to do today. We're going to get to it, man. We're going to be in all of the day, boys. It we got to do today. We got to get to it, man. We're going to be in a hole today, boys. It's come back win today.

Exactly right. We're going to be down by four, and then we're going to come back, and Taiwan's going to tweet after the game like, thanks for picking me up. Yeah, it's like, times. Which, you know, not to make a lie, like, I do appreciate that. I think that is really nice that he does that. Don't you? I mean, come on.

I think it's nice. It's nice. Because they're picking him up. Of course. Let's be honest. He needs to is really nice that he does that. Don't you? I mean, come on. I think it's nice. It's nice. Because they're picking him up. Of course. Let's be honest. He needs to thank some people. He does. He does. So, yeah. What a playoff rotation that is. We got our guy, Wheels.

And by the way, they better win game one. Oh my god. Like, we had a caller call up today and it's one of those things where you're like, come on. But it's also like maybe, like, he's like, can we get a Bumgarner type postseason from Wheeler where you're like, come on. But it's also like, maybe he's like, can we get a Bumgarner-type postseason from Wheeler where he's starting three games or starting two and coming in for five innings of relief?

I mean, I'd trust him in that situation more than anyone. Like, let's go. Can they just, for the final month of the year, and I'm not saying it's got to be Nola, it's got to be Ranger, but can one of you just go on a run? I will provide some optimism in this specific area. In that we get very myopic and focused on the Phillies because we watch them every day.

Big work. Myopic, yes. Do you know what myopic means? No. It means that you're focusing on something little. You focus on one little thing instead of the big picture. And I always use holistic. Huh.

I'm using at the, looking down. Okay. Upon the. Yeah. Okay. That's, sure. You're a myopic guy. That's me.

I'm a holistic guy. They're not exactly antonyms or whatever it be, but. They're close enough. Sure. I thought, I don't think antonyms is the right word. Isn't it antonym? Synonym. be. They're close enough. Sure. I thought, I don't think antonym's the right word. Isn't it antonym? Synonym? Synonym.

No, buddy. Synonym means the same. Right. Antonym means opposite, which is what we were... Do you want to go here? Is this what we're doing? Antonym Skywalker.

Here's my optimism. That we focus so much on the Phillies. That was really good. That was really good. Thank you. Focus so much on the Phillies. We watch the Phillies every was really good. Thank you. Focus so much on the Phillies. We watch the Phillies every night.

We don't watch the Braves every night. We don't watch the Dodgers every night. It's not like these teams have great starting pitching. In fact, the Dodgers just lost their best starting pitcher, and he's very unlikely to be back this season, I would guess. I would hope so, yeah. Yeah, nor should he. I mean, he seems like a scumbag.

No, I feel like I do have to watch the Cubs every night now. Yeah, I know. Out of contending. Well, the Cubs actually, you've got guys like Jordan Wicks just going out night now. Yeah, I know. Well, the Cubs actually, but like, you got guys like Jordan Wicks just going out and like, Assad, like this guy Assad,

like Javier Assad or whatever. It's like, who is he? He's awesome. I'm glad that Sia Suzuki is great. That makes me happy. Yeah, I mean, and Hops crushing him.

Yeah. Our boy. I wish Morel was a Phil. I know. That's my, if there's one player in baseball I want to be a Phil, it's Morel.

Is David Ross a good manager, I guess? It seems like. I'm just saying. I don't know why they're so good. That's what I'm saying. But the point being that I do think that, you know, the Phillies aren't the only one heading into the playoffs without enough starting pitching, is what I'm trying to say. Yeah, for sure. I mean, it's been a problem in the whole sport. Yeah, and they can hit. So you know

what? Like, yeah, the Braves can hit, the Dodgers can hit, but so can the Phillies. Like, over the last month, the Phillies have been better. Yeah, and they can hit. So you know what? Yeah, the Braves can hit, the Dodgers can hit, but so can the Phillies. Over the last month, the Phillies have been better. Yeah, and that's the big part. That's the big takeaway from they lose the game Tuesday and the fact that they just bounced back normally and scored five runs.

Thank goodness. Because then it could be like, alright, well, the shutout was obviously a blip in the radar because I mean, run production wise, they've been very good. And great. And great. And again, best offense in baseball since August 1st. Most home runs by a wide margin since August 1st.

Yep. So, yeah, it was nice that they just normally bounced back and got right back to being able to hit the baseball, hit some home runs. Because they had, what, a seven-game multi-home run streak heading into it? Yeah. And they obviously shut out, snapped that. They went right back to having multi-home runs. So that was exciting.

So I'm happy with that. Yeah. And again, it's huge. And look, I mean, end of August, September, Schwarber, whatever you want to call it, I mean, he is freaking locked in right now. He might get 50 home runs this year. He's going to hit more home runs than he did last year. I don't think anyone thought that was coming early in the season.

The OPS is well over eight now. I mean, the average, again, I keep saying it. Look out, Mario. We're coming close, buddy. I know. That Mendoza line, it's going to get crossed, I think. He had a single last night with a throw. Oh, man.

I do want him to stop hitting singles. I want him to end the year. When he hit that, because the homer first, and then the single last night, I was like, damn. I actually, because the way it almost looked like it was going to bounce over Tatis' head the way he played it. He kind of jumped weird, and I was like, go over his head!

Give it a double! I'm so with you. It's just fun. Again, Ron Acuna can have his little 30-60 year. Yeah, no big deal. Which is probably going to be like a 35-70 year, but no big deal. No big deal. Schwarber ending the year with more home runs than singles is... Here's what I'll say.

It's what I mean. I think we've all... I know that High Hopes, we were out in front of this, but I think we've all kind of ended the leadoff thing. It's over. They win baseball games when this guy's the leadoff hitter. But honestly, and you know, sports are supposed to be fun. I know. And I always say it, but it's over like they win baseball games when this guy's the leadoff hitter but honestly and you know like i always sports are supposed to be fun i know and all that and i always say it but it's true like kyle schwerber's fun to have on your team like this dude except when he's playing

defense this dude is fun like he's fun to watch it's fun to know that every time that dude comes up to the plate there's a pretty decent chance he's gonna hit one of the furthest home runs you've ever seen like you know it's awesome he doesn. It's not very often he hits cheapies. Yeah, exactly. The only time it's a cheapie is when it goes off the end of the bat and just kind of makes its way out because it's like, of course that guy can hit it out of the end of the bat. I mean, 466 yesterday.

He's just fun to watch, man. He's fun to root for as a person and a player. We know the clubhouse stuff that we've talked about so much, that Dabrowski talked about all that. But he just seems like, to your point, you've said this so many times, he seems like a good dude. Like, he's fun to root for. He's fun to watch play.

And plus, I mean, there has to be, what, every kid in the Delaware Valley playing, you know, wiffle ball, emulating their Schwarber swing? Boom! Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, it is a tight, compact swing. It's a great swing. Schwarbombs. Schwarbombs.

It's great. My daughter, Zoe, loves saying swerve bombs. We're always like, Zoe swervers up and you go, swerve bomb! Swerve bomb! It's quite adorable. Good. And the fun thing is he hits them a lot of the time. It's like, it's a swerve bomb! Jake, swerve bomb!

It's great. Great. He's good. He's good. He's good. It's okay. Really good player. Happy he's on the team. Take up batting average. I'm really happy he's on the team. Take up batting average. I'm really happy he's on the team. If you just X'd it out. Every other number is fine.

And don't ever play defense. Don't ever play defense. And strikeouts are not great. Strikeouts are what they are. Find me the guy who has 41 home runs who doesn't strike out a lot. And I love the whole, well, he doesn't move runners a lot. I love, there's not, listen. We move runners along. It's like, I love, there's not,

listen, I love. We are small ball guys. Are you kidding me? We love moving runners. I love fundamental baseball. We're the guys who win the freaking extra runner thing happen.

We're like, why does every team not bunt automatically every freaking time? What are we doing here? Like, we're all about it. I'm a big manufacturer run guy.

Yeah. That's a sign of winning baseball. You're damn right. But like, relax. No. Also,

I believe he's above major league average in getting runners over third with less than two outs. It's easy. I mean, it's not surprising. He's hit a ball in the air. Yeah. He's pretty good at that. He's very good at that.

Yeah. So he's just a good player. He's a good player. I agree. And he's fun. I think he's fun to have on your team. Yeah. Okay.

Because he can be infuriating. I get that. But I think it's way more fun than infuriating. 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, let's get to something important. And I need to go in dangerous. I'm going to apologize to our listeners before I do this, but we're going to go inside the mind of Jack.

Dangerous spot. I know. Prior to the double last night, Bryce Harper sitting in a hot 0 for 19. 0 for 20. 0 for 20. Since the whole Chuck thing. Yeah.

You're like, you know, it's you. It's your show. You're a big part of it. You're the guy. The whole thing. Someone said the face. Yeah, I would say the face. How much were you losing your mind?

Take us inside this. Because I know you very well. And I know that you probably were sweating every time Bryce Harper came in. So I'm going to be completely honest with you. I didn't really care. What? I promise you. I promise you I didn't care.

Because I just know he's going to be fine. Okay. All right, good, good, good. Because this is very unlike you in this situation. But you're right. That's perfectly valid. It's like, yeah, it's Bryce. It's fine.

Again, if I can be the whole guy that can explain away pretty much everything with Kyle Schwarber, like, do you really think an 0 for 20 for Bryce Harper is going to shake this foundation it's a great point yeah like really good point I could see why you were concerned

I worry about you I care about you right but there was there was nothing I felt nothing I'm so happy to hear that that's a growth mindset thank you

yeah I've been working on it I did want to make Chuck nervous for sure like I just wanted to start blaming him all the time yeah because he does not

handle that well at all and it was like it was pretty hilarious the way this all kind of like, it's like, of course. For sure. And he shaves like he's clearly thinking about it. Yeah.

I mean, that is funny. Have you ever, do you remember a player ever who is more willing to just change his? Everything. Everything. The batting gloves thing, the facial hair, what he wears, the way he goes, like his freaking stance. The whole thing, I don't ever remember a player who, when they go through slumps, is more willing to just completely change certain things about how they do baseball.

It's such a baseball thing to do. Oh, of course it is. Mr. Superstition. Yeah. He's a real ball player. No, he is. I'm just saying, I don't ever remember anyone doing it as much as him. Right.

Well, what about me? I had my one shirt. I don't see you play baseball. Oh, you're talking about him watching. Yeah. You're right. You do do that. I had my shirt.

You got your shirt. You got your spot. You got certain people you can watch with, certain people you can't watch with. That's a good point. Yeah. I walk. Yeah. Well, now that's a whole new thing.

Dude, by the way. Hold up. That's a whole new thing for the playoffs. It is. Walk has no playoff resume. So, counterpoint is that Jill got way more invested in the Phillies. Like, she was like, like, Jill never texts me at work about the Phillies. She just started texting me, like, she's like, this is crazy.

It's like, who is this? Did someone take your phone? Someone at the house right now? So, Walk's bringing the Phillies family in. Correct. That's how I know he's my son. That's good. Jill was so invested in the playoff run last year.

I was like, this is awesome, but what's going on? And then this year, dude, she'll try to get him to sit there. And maybe she'll put a nature thing on YouTube and he'll lose his interest. The second the plays are on, he'll move, dude, he's moving his head around so that he can watch the game. I keep looking at Jill and I'm like, that's my boy. My boy right there. You see that?

I know that Zoe's my daughter because she's that psycho. Oh yeah, no. There's never been a kid more like their father than Zoe Seltzer. I told you before, but literally there have been times where Zoe's nonstop talking or whatever, and Emily will turn and go, James! And then she'll go, oh no.

I'm sorry, because it is me. Yeah, it's you. He's been gravitating towards the Philz. I love that. I love that. Yeah, he's good. He's a keeper. But again, he holed up, though.

Him gravitating towards the Philz, loving the Philz, that's cool and all, but that doesn't mean he's good. He's a keeper. But again, he holed up, though. Him gravitating for the Bills, loving the Bills, that's cool and all, but that doesn't mean he's good luck. For sure. No, I agree. But we watched the end of the game yesterday together, so they didn't blow it. That was good. Good.

Matt Strom was really trying to blow it. He was, for sure. But, yes, I have a hunch. But if the games are at home, I'm not really going to be there. That's true, too. Yeah, we'll be at the stadium, so it's a good point. It's basically recreating last year. I like this.

It's good. Don't worry. I'll figure it out. I believe, buddy, I so believe in you. Thank you. I really do. All right, what else before we get to the take back? Bullpen.

We haven't talked much bullpen lately. Where you at with Alvarado? Strom, obviously. A lot of innings. You know, kind of where this pen is at. Kimbrell looked good. Not great. You know, a couple walks, but got through that last outing. But luckily, because of the way these games have played out,

they've gotten more rest over the last week or so than prior. And what Rob Thompson, I mean, I know in this, you can't wave the white flag. You can't. You got to go for full nine innings and do your best to win. Dude, Lorenzen just got there and bitched six and then gave the ball to Covey. That was a no-brainer. I did like, look,

and Thompson's done it before, but in the 9-7 game, bring in Kimmerlin against Art of the Order in the eighth. I do like that he still does that kind of stuff. Speaking of that, it triggered something in my mind that I wanted to bring up. I appreciate wanting to go for wins. And I know that we have a lot of scar tissue with blowing games.

Oh, yeah. Where you at, Joe Girardi? I just, like, you can let Kimbrel sit for a little bit longer before we're getting the jacket off. And it's like 5-1 with two outs. Oh, I know. I agree with that. I agree with that. No, I agree with that.

Big time. Big time. It happened in the 12-7 game. It happened in the, yeah. They started I agree with that. I agree with that. No, I agree with that. Big time. Big time. It happened in the 12-7 game. It happened in the game. Yeah. They started warming up with five. Well, that's why. I think that's why he blew the 300-ohm run game.

I think that's why. I think at least part of it was warming up the night before. Rob, you're a lot like everyone. I appreciate it. You want to win the game. But we don't need to. We need to save. Yeah.

Save Craig. There are more important games coming. Yes. If Strom blows a 5-0 lead with two more outs to play, I'd be shocked. Yeah. So the funny part about the bullpen is just whenever I'm like, okay, this is a guy I can trust,

they go out and have a shaky outing. So like Hoffman yesterday, of course. Of course. I know you literally spent the whole last part being like, Jeff Hoffman, my guy. Might be a guy that we could turn into a high leverage. In a big spot. Yeah, so I apologize in advance for what I'm about to say.

Oh God. But I would like to point out. Should I turn your mic off? I would like to point out that, and no, the eye test does not totally back this up, but in his last 14 appearances, Serantini Dominguez has only allowed one run. I'm sorry.

It is weird. So I actually knew the numbers. He's actually like... Dude, the ARA is 3.6. Yeah. And if you go back to... Remember he had those couple rough outings to start the season? If you go back and take those outings out,

I think it's like April 17th or something. I saw this on Twitter. Someone put it out like April 17th on. It's like 2.6 or something like that. 2-7 or something. It does not feel that way. At all. At all. And probably because he's not striking guys out. Yeah, and it just eye tests. It doesn't look quite as

nasty. It doesn't look quite as unhittable. I think Alvarado's getting back to that, though. I think that was a big spot for him to get that save and obviously the excitement. What a celebration. I mean, the guy, his ability just is the best. It was... What a celebration. I mean, the guy just, his ability just is the best. The best. It was so exactly,

exactly like game one of the NFL. Yes! That's a great call by you. There's been so many, there's been so many games this year that have felt like the playoffs last year.

Yeah. Just sickening. It's like, I've felt this before. I know. That's what I felt watching the NFL. I was like,

well, the McCormick catch was the one we just had with... I know. And there was... Whoever that was. I know. That's what I felt watching that. I was like, well, the McCormick catch was the one we just had with, you know. And there was. Whoever that was. I forget. Yeah.

But, yeah, the ninth on Monday, again, pretty surprised they won. It was trending towards just an 8-1 lead and them losing in September. It was like, been here before. Well, that was the one. Yeah. Them winning that game. You're right. Them winning that game, you're right. Them winning that game was kind of like, okay. Maybe this team's different.

They didn't blow an 8-1 lead in September. Then they come out and lose 8-9. That's our squad. But yeah, so the bullpen, I think Alvarado's on his way back. I'm glad Kimbrel's had a couple days off here. Strom, I think, is mostly fine. It's just the one thing about the bullpen is that I don't know who you can turn to.

Sure, they could go out and be great, but it's not like he's going to be great. I agree. You know what I mean? So that's the big difference with the bullpen. It's like Strom can go out and be great, or he can go out and walk the ballpark. I mean, Gregory Soto is the ultimate example of this.

He's the king of it. I mean, he is as high and low end as, like. Dude, there's innings where he's done in seven pitches. I've missed, dude, I've missed three Gregory Soto innings because they've gone so fast at some points this year. Like, sometimes the stuff, you're just like, wow, dude, like, you are nasty. You have stuff.

He could be so good. I mean, he has, like, stuff with a capital S. Like, yeah. He could be good. He's just not. Yeah, and you can't trust him now at this point. Well, and now the big thing

that's starting to come around is, and I'm happy we're having the conversation, but like, do you try to bring up a Ryan Kirkering for the last like,

Well, you know where we stand on this. Last little month. You know where we stand on this. Let's see what we got. Let's go. I mean,

there was a prospect guy that I think is one of the smarter ones out there, and he said, best slider in the minors. Whoa! At his age, too? Wow. There is level or whatever. Sorry, level, I should say.

Best slider in baseball. Wow. Our guy. That's pretty awesome. I think it's, do you want to bring him up for the Covey role? No. Do you bring them up instead of baladi would you rather like that's the question yeah i'd rather take a shot why not at least see what you got the upside of it yeah so it probably i think the only way they would do it is if someone got hurt in the last little bit here like i don't think they'd bring brogdon back up i don't think like it's pretty much if someone goes down it feels like kirk ring's getting the call. That'd be fun.

It'd be fun. Let's go! Last thing before the take back. I just would like to, as a pod that is a fan of bits and has done bits, has appreciated bits. And now the Phillies are also bits. That's what I'm

going for. This whole Phillies bits thing. It's another one. the road JT thing is like, what are we doing here? And the dude's a stud again. It's like the homer he hit in Milwaukee was like a freaking tank shot to center. I was like, who is this guy? Where did he come from? It is

hilarious. It is a hilarious bit. Yeah, and I, again, in a team full of bits, it's what they are. It's what they are. It is the hilarious bit. Yeah. Again, in a team full of bits, it's what they are. It's what they are. It is the bit team. The starting staff, the losing games, the hit big home runs, road JT, leadoff Schwarbs is actually kind of a bit. Kind of a good bit.

It's remarkable. It's just absolutely remarkable. If there was ever a team for this pod, we found it. We found it. What a beautiful name. Dude, he's like, he is an MVP candidate. Dude, he's got like a 950 OPS on the road. I think it's higher.

It might be higher. It might be. I was guessing. I mean, it was 931 during the road trip. And he's in the low 600s at home. Oh, so he's over 600 because he was in the 500s. Yeah, he's over 600 at home. God.

I mean, that's it. Again, I said it before. It's like old school cores. It's like the dudes were like, there was no humidor and it really was like that. It's like old school cores. It's like the dudes were like, there was no human award. It really was like that. It's crazy. All right, take back in a sec.

Shout out to the Miller Lite Bar of the Week. Screwballs Sports Bar. That is a great name for a sports bar. Screwballs Sports Bar. Shout out to the Miller Lite Bar of the Week. It's our Bar of the Week today. Screwballs Sports Bar and Grill in King of Prussia. We can watch all Philly's games with a $2.75 memory draft special.

That's a great deal. Go to screwballsbarandgrill.com. Take bag, my friend. Well, whatever happened to screwballs? Why can't we bring the screwball back? What a great question. Why? It felt like no one threw screwballs back.

They were just like, oh, he's a screwballer. We don't have any knuckleballers in the game right now either. I disagree. Who do we got? The Phillies faced one on Monday. I mean, that guy was throwing knuckleballs. Yeah, you're right.

He was kind of throwing. It was like a hard, it was like a hard no, but it wasn't like knuckleball, knuckleball, you know, like we don't have any Tom Candiotti's. No.

Or Tim Wakefield's, obviously. Who the hell is Tom Candiotti? Oh, that was my knuckleball growing up. No, see, I'm a Wakefield. I know you are, yeah. Tom Candiotti was that was my knuckleball growing up i'm a wakefield i know you are yeah tom candiotti was a great one again i tom candi i have so such little respect for no for knuckleballers like just no respect really yes i love i don't think that they they're not pitchers they're not pitchers is ari dickie the best knuckleballer of our generation? Probably one of Cy Young.

Yeah, I mean, he did one of Cy Young. He won a Cy Young. It's just like, it's so Mickey Mouse. Like, be a real pitcher. I'm just like, I can't take the knuckleballers. Like, you're not a pitcher. I mean, it's pretty awesome when you can do it, though. I know.

And the counter's always, well, why can't you do it? I don't know. For some reason, when I try, it doesn't do it. That's why. It's hard to grip the ball like that. Whatever. Does it even lift? Anyway.

Good talk. Thank you. Thank you. We have a High Hopes event, buddy. We do. And I'm very excited for it. And it's official official. I teased it last time.

Let's go, buddy. Yes, and I'm very excited. Shout out to Miller Lite. Shout out to Miller Lite. Shout out to Liberty Grounds. Liberty Grounds, finally in my city. Thank you. We're coming to Philly. We're coming to Philly. I'm staying in Philly and I'm ecstatic.

That's beautiful. September 15th at Liberty Grounds. For those of you that don't know, some of my best friends in the world own it. Okay, but what a flex. Well, they're my guys. What's the deal to you?

They're my guys. Powerful people. It's all good. I'm very, very excited. Shout out to Sunil Priyankanay. Oh, wasn't he your best man at your wedding? Sunil was my best man. How about that?

Yeah. For those who are not there, which I'm guessing is everyone. I don't think anyone listeners were there. You gave a great speech. Great speech. Like crush. He brought out like a little mini basketball hoop. And I missed it.

Yeah. And you missed it. It was a, he was very, it was very good. Like I didn't know anyone at your wedding other than, you know, Spike and Marks and the people from WIP. I thought that dude fricking crushed it. Yeah. And it's a really cool place.

It's two floors right across the street from St. Joe's prep. So they have mini golf downstairs. And I think there's going to be a mini golf tournament for Philly's tickets. Oh, really? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Food's really good. I'm so excited. Food's really, really good.

I don't know where Sunil learned how to cook, but we're figuring that out. Okay. So, yeah. I like the shot at Sunil there. That was good. Just throw it in there, you know. So September 15th, Liberty Grounds. And I hope that, you know, people that, because a couple times people are like,

are you ever going to do an event in the city? We're going to do an event in the city. Finally. And by people who ask that question, Jack means me asking that question. Well, yeah, I've got some things about it. So real quick, let me just look it up real quick. It will be, oh, Philly's Cardinals. We get to relive the NLWS.

Wow. Yeah, NLWS. I was trying to do the- We get to relive A-Rod and Michael K. How about it? A Friday night, too. Yeah. We get a Friday night to hang out.

Yeah. 8-15 games, so we'll be raging. It's a late night. I can actually hang out for once. You can? How thrilling is that? I mean, I'll take a little nap during the day. Yeah, you should. You should. I have to hang out. Yeah, you do. It's correct. night I can actually hang out For once You can How thrilling is that Being able to go A little nap during the day Yeah you should

You should I have to hang out Yeah you do It's correct 100% Yeah But yes Liberty with a T-E-E

Not liberty I can't wait dude That's gonna be Freaking awesome Yes So I hope everyone Come out Come hang out

Be a great time And we can I'm sure they'll tell Embarrassing stories of me Seriously coming out Seriously It's gonna be a Friday night This is a small more serious

Like normally It's like a weeknight And we're This is a small-marer. Serious. It's like a weeknight, and we're at a bar, and it's great, and I love it, and I love all the people. It's a Friday night. I can hang out tonight, that night. Let's freaking come hang out with us. If you live near the city, if you've ever thought about coming to Iowa, come hang out with us. We love it.

It's our favorite thing to do, to meet the community that's built around this pod. So, please coming out. For sure. Shout out to Brian Onora and his throat. Oh, what a save the day. What a hero, dude. Save the day. Unbelievable.

Fall off the chest. Brian Onora. That was huge, though. I've never seen that. I haven't either. I've never seen an... So I feel like I've seen... I've never seen an umpire lead to saving a run like that.

I feel like I've seen umpires stop a ball hit the first an umpire lead to saving a run like that. I feel like I've seen umpires stop, like a ball hit, like the first base umpire and keep a guy from going to second or a ball, like, kind of be kept in. I've never seen that exact play happen. What is he doing? Anyway. I know. It was a great moment.

Another yearbook moment. Are we going to, I mean, are we close to a Matt Klintak appreciation? No. I mean, look, that Zach Wheeler contract, though. I mean. I mean. JT. The dude's got a contract.

JT, Bryce. Well, the Bryce contract, good Bryce, but I think we're giving John Middleton credit for that. Yes. Shout out to our guy, Jack. I would say so. But. I think he deserved it.

He was a part of the front office that drafted. I'm going to give John Middleton full credit. Okay. Just saying. I'm just saying. I don't. Obviously, we are. Here's what I'll do.

Here's what I'll do. Jack Middleton gets credit for the Bryce Harper thing fully. Correct. All him alone. That's how he became Jack Middleton. John, done. And then he lost it, but then he's back now. But then he got it back.

He's our guy right now. We are all in on our guy John. He's like our favorite. But I think the Wheeler thing he deserves credit for. I do. I think that's fair. And trading 6-0 for JT. Yeah, it ended up being a great trade. You're right, it did. 6-0 for JT was a steal.

And then, obviously, we're past the point of thinking that the general manager is draft players, but he's part of it. I love that you didn't even mention Jorge Alfaro like he wasn't even a part of the trade. I know. Or the lefty, Will Stewart. Was it Will Stewart, the other guy we gave up? Yes. What a pull.

Come on. That is a good pull. I'm shocked you knew that. I am shocked I pulled that out, too. I knew it was Will something. I was thinking about the guy that they traded to the Diamondbacks that threw an 0-hitter in his first start. He's a former Phil Sparman. Oh, yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I don't think he ever. Yeah. What is, I was thinking about that with the Lorenzen one. Like, it is funny how many, like, just rando no-hitters. No-hitters there are. So many. Who was the White Sox guy?

The White Sox guy. Wait, which White Sox guy? Well, not Burley. It was a guy. Burley had a perfect game. I know he had a perfect game. Yeah. Oh, Wilson Alvarez back in the day? No, no, no. He was had a perfect game. I know he had a perfect game. Yeah.

Wilson Alvarez back in the day? No, no, no. He was a White Sox guy who threw it. It's not bummer, but it's something like Phil something. Philip Humber. Humber. And that was a perfect game also, actually. Philip Humber threw a perfect game. And I don't think he started again after that.

No, he's a disaster. You know why I love that one so much? I picked him up for a spot start in fantasy that day. Like, literally, I just picked up Phillip Humber for the day, and I got a perfect game. It was like one of the great fantasy days ever. Phillip Humber. Phillip Humber.

Former, I think he was like a Mets prospect back then. No idea. Yeah, there's some randos. I mean, like, frigging Andy Hawkins threw a no-hitter that he lost for nothing, which is amazing. Yes. I remember watching that happen as a kid. That's got to be a tough scene.

That's a tough scene. There were like three errors. One was a two-run error. It was rough. That's gotta be a tough scene. That's a tough scene. There were like three errors. One was a two-run error. It was rough. But yeah, listen, man. Klentak. That guy Bud Smith threw a no-hitter. Bud Smith did throw a no-hitter, I believe. I think with the Cardinals, yeah. Anyway. Klentak, you're right.

Very glad he's gone. Very glad he's gone. Probably should get a little, a slight amount more credit than he's earned. And look, I think he was probably. Last year's Team Segura. I think he was probably better as a personnel contracts guy than he was as a culture setter. Yeah. Which we found out is a freaking important set of culture.

He had no idea what he was doing. Exactly. But he could do some baseball stuff. Speaking of former Matt Klintak, Sinees, just feel terrible for Kutch. Ah,

I know, $299. $299. I'm sure he's going to come back. I hope so. But he's 36. He might not come back.

He's going to try and come back. Do you really want to rehab that hard? I know, right? Especially in Achilles. It's not an ACL, it's an Achilles.

That's as bad an injury as you can get. Now, do you think he'd come back, hit the one home run, and then retire? Do you think 300 matters that much, Jim, to get to that number? I think if you were on 299, it would drive you nuts. I mean, because— I always felt bad for Fred McGriff my whole life because he was a big 500 home run club guy growing up. I had 493.

I mean, that's like— Well, didn't Galarraga have 399? I think Galarraga—I think that's like... Didn't Galarraga have 399? I think Galarraga. I think you're right. I think Galarraga had 399. But still, they come that close to five on Noah and not get there. Clemente getting his 3,000th hit right before he dies is one of the craziest things we've never talked about. He ended on 3,000 hits. Like, 3,000.

And then he died. That's nuts. Isn't the story with Kruk that his career average was 299 and he went out and got a hit to make sure it was $300, and then he retired? Did he? I don't know, but that's phenomenal. It sounds like a Kruk story.

That sounds exactly like a Kruk story. Kruk was a great hitter, man. Yeah. He was a really good hitter. Dude, I think Franski in L.A. posted a lineup the other day with him starting at center field. In center field. I saw that, too.

It's like, are you serious? What else? So people lived the 2018 Phillies before that team. My guy Ricky Jordan at first base. 2018. He played, or sorry, John Kruk playing center field. Oh, it's unbelievable. It's so great.

It makes Reese, we're always like, oh, nothing could have ever been worse than Reese Hoskins in left field. Kruk in center probably was. Probably was. Nothing could have ever been worse than Reese Hoskins in left field. Crook and center probably was. Probably was. How funny is it the conversation has turned from like a month and a half ago we would have been like, oh, I'm so glad Trey's not playing.

Oh, I know. We'd be like, thank God. Go home and take care of your family. Spend as much time with your new kid as you need. Now it's like, crap, dude. Yeah, I miss them. Get them back in the lineup. I miss them.

He's also in the middle of the all back in the lineup. I miss them. It was also in the middle of the all-time hot streak. I need them back. Worst timing. I mean, kid, come on. By the way, did you know that his wife was pregnant this whole time?

Yeah. Okay, so I didn't. I missed that. Well, you're not on Instagram. Oh, that's okay. You're right. That's why. But when Harper's wife was pregnant,

I knew. I think she was pregnant, I believe, at the press conference. Right when they got here, yeah. Yeah. Anyway, I had no idea. Okay. I think she was pregnant, I believe, at the press conference. Like right when they got here. Yeah. Yeah. So anyway, I had no idea. Okay.

I could have done my whole athletes or humans thing earlier with Trayvon like his wife's pregnant. Come on guys, give him a break. You moved to a new city

athlete or wife's pregnant. Give him an ovation. Come on. Yep, stand up. Oh, listen. You can still play Johan Rojas. I'm just saying.

With you, dude. I know. I love that Pache's back, but like. We still play him. Yeahjas. I'm just saying. With you, dude. I know. I love that Pache's back, but like... We still play him. Yeah, especially like late innings. I don't know if

they're in for some defense. I like watching Johan Rojas play. Yeah, especially center field. Well, Pache actually, it's so funny because every time Pache comes back,

it's like, oh wait, no, he's really good too. No, he's really good. And also like, hits, man. He's hitting. It's still, again, for a season...

This is a great point you're gonna make because i co-signed for a season in which there's been a lot of things that that shocked me like wow how'd that happen 12 straight wins in the road yeah trey turner's season just turning around on a dime because of ovations like literally on a dime christian pache turning into a serviceable hitter is up there i think it might be the craziest like when they trade like you hated him. I did. Like, as a player.

You were, because he was like a top 10 prospect for the Braves, and you were always like, this guy's not good. This guy is not good. He's not good. Because he couldn't hit.

Well, because there's nothing that drives me more crazy in prospect circles. Like, well, a guy's a great fielder. That's why he's so high. Well, that doesn't matter. Well, think about this. Think about the fact

that the Oakland A's, a team that is literally doing nothing else but trying to find young, cheap talent. Like, think about this. Think about the fact that the Oakland A's, a team that is literally doing nothing else but trying to find young, cheap talent. Like, that's it. Gave this guy away because he couldn't hit. Yes. That's nuts, man. It's, believe it or not, a bad sign for the franchise.

It's a really bad sign. Yeah. That's a really bad sign. Yeah. And the fact that the Phillies were able to take advantage. Dave. Again. Dave. This is the Phillies were able to- Take advantage. Which is- Dave. Again. Dave. This is the kind of stuff that Dave and Ani and whatever it is, but this front office

does that others didn't. Yes. What a time. What a time. That's all I got. That was a good take back. Thanks, buddy. I really appreciated that one.

You know, sometimes they're okay. Thank you. That was a good one. I've been trying, ever since you publicly challenged me for my take back, I've started running. The one time you came in, you're like, well, I don't really have anything. And then you like wrote one thing down. You're like, all right, this is the take back.

Yep. We count on the take back here. Yep. Well, that's why. It's a big part of our show. It's okay. We are an accountability podcast. That's right.

That's right. I die sometimes. I got to call you out. You push me to be great every single day. That's right. That's right. You make fun of me for being old. It works out really well.

Yeah. I hope. Oh, never mind. Yeah, that's good. Whatever you're going to do, that's probably the right move. You got fun of me for being old. It works out really well. Yeah. I hope. Oh, never mind. Yeah, that's good. Whatever you're going to do, that's probably the right move. You got anything else? Just saying.

I hope you're. Oh, God. I hope you appreciate this time. Before I die in a week or whatever it is. It's great. Yeah, thank you. Yes. Don't actually, though,

because. I'm going to really try not to. Because then people would cut this. Yeah, you really are running some risks here. Like, you know the the amount of clips about you making jokes about me dying the week i die is gonna be it's gonna be tough bad guy bad guy that's right all right um elliot keeps lurking outside i know he's like just like walking back it's like aren't you doing a radio show right now like it's like wandering yeah he wants to be part of this i get it of course it's an awesome thing who wouldn't be Yeah. He wants to be part of this. I get it. Of course. It's an awesome thing.

Who wouldn't be? Who wouldn't want to be part of it? All right. September 15th. Come for getting out with us. We'll obviously do pods before then, but don't forget, in Philly, what's the name of the place again? Liberty Grounds.

Liberty Grounds coming out. It's going to be awesome. Obviously, we'll be back. Marlins this weekend. And no Solaire. And no Solaire. No Alcantara. Things may be breaking the Phillies.

No, they have won seven straight. And they're going to lose two or three. The Phillies are definitely losing two or three. Well, Miguel Rojas no longer is there. So the real problem is after the weekend, if we lose two or three and the Cubs win two or three, it's like, oh, going to Wrigley. Can I just make one last thing here?

Sure, please, yeah. Hey, Cubs. Calm down. Chill out. Relax. Relax. We get it. Well, I will say, I will say, how's this?

How's this? Watch this. You ready? I'm ready. Peeking too early. There it is. We're going to go with that. He's heard some seltzer. We'll see you next time.