High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Stop Doing Dumb Things

Episode Date: April 10, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies taking 2 of 3 from the Reds this weekend and more. 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

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. Come on, they took two of three. Another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. Yeah, to be honest, I'm so tired. I'm so tired, Jack. I'm so tired. No, to be honest, I'm so tired. I'm so tired, Jack.

I'm so tired. No, we don't set the tone like that. I know. I just drove back from Vermont. I know. I woke up at 3 o'clock. I'm, like, totally cooked. And still, it was a better experience than the Phillies base running this weekend.

So, yeah. No, look, 2-3 is good, but... We would have taken 2-3. It almost was 2-3 the other way. They made it very dangerous the entire weekend. So, yeah. No, look, two or three is good, but... We would have taken two or three. It almost was two or three the other way. They made it very dangerous the entire weekend. Now, full disclosure, I had to catch up on all the games, because again, I was in Vermont for my

buddy's wedding. Shout out to Chad. Chad and JoJo. Awesome times. Is the name Chad done, by the way? Oh, you think no more Chad's out there? Yeah. I feel like Chad is out. Done? Yeah. Like, I don't think anyone, do you think there's anyone under the age of five

still named Chad? I don't know. It's a great question. Yeah. I think Chad's on its way out. It'll make its return. Yeah. Like, everything does.

I mean, everything comes back around. It's just what happens. What is it? What's it saying? Everything in history comes back around? History repeats itself. That one.

History is bound to repeat itself. That one. Yeah. Nailed it. Nailed it. Nailed it once again. Nailed it. Speaking of history repeating itselfailed it once again. Nailed it. Speaking of history repeating itself, the Phillies just ran into another out on the

bases. Everything's good. Now, listen. Listen. It was a positive week. It was a positive weekend. Okay. Good.

Positive week. Good. Good. Good. It should have swept. Saturday was annoying, but also, I don't know, Lodolo's nasty. Lodolo's nasty. Lodolo's nasty. My favorite thing is when the Phillies aren't hitting someone really good but also, like, I don't know, Lodolo's nasty. Lodolo's nasty. Lodolo's nasty.

My favorite thing is, like, when the Phillies aren't hitting someone really good, everyone's like, oh, offense stinks. Like, well, maybe the pitcher's just really good. You know what I mean? Like, there can never be one or the other. It's like, it's okay to admit that great pitchers are great. He's not great yet. He is on his way to becoming great.

But, like, they struggled against a great pitcher. I'm sorry. Like, I would like them to not against a great pitcher. I'm sorry. I would like them to not strike out 12 times. You know? Yeah, that'd be good. Maybe our pitchers not walk their guys, like, nine times in a game. That was yesterday.

I know it was. I'm just, you know. Yesterday was, like. Horrible. Well, it was one of those things where I was watching it, and it's, like, they're playing so annoyingly carefree. Like, you know where it's, like, oh, it's like they're playing so annoyingly carefree. You know where it's like, oh, it's good you're playing carefree like you're playing loose and they're going out there and just playing ball. They were just

playing ball out there. They were just playing stupid. Yes, it was dumb baseball. And I couldn't tell I couldn't get a grasp on like, because they looked like they were just playing, like, it wasn't lackadaisical, it was just like, eh just like ah whatever like we'll see what happens like it was almost like they got back home they won the first two games and they're like bang we're back well they got the rings and it's like aha that's

who we are i remember we're the nl champs we can go do what we want out here dusty watson's putting up stop signs just running right through them i mean I mean, the funniest is Cassie Anos. I mean, it was just like, what are you doing, man? Dude. I mean, just. Just stick on third, man. Just stick on third. And Schwarber had two mistakes.

He got lucky on the one. It hit him in the back. But, like, I mean, that turnaround first. What are you doing, man? Dude, it was. Like, what are you doing? It was one of those losses where I'm actually glad they lost. Because you think they could learn a lesson? Well, it was like what are you doing it was like it was one of those losses where i'm actually glad they lost like because you think they could learn a lesson it was just like embarrassing like you guys have been playing like you guys have played baseball for most of them 30 plus years at this

point yeah like come on you know like and and i think this a manager is not a a football coach you know what i mean where it's like i gotta, we got to go in there and correct this. Like, we're going to put on tape and like. Work on your technique. Like, these guys all know what the technique is. They all know what they're supposed to do. Look at the third base coach. So if Rob Thompson, and this has never been his MO.

Like, his MO has never been like, I'm going to go in, hold people. He holds people accountable, but he's not going to like bench him, him i don't think because they believe that obviously you want to have your best players out there and a bench and could ruin that or whatever so if thompson's not gonna be that guy even though i think he should like i think there should be some level of like you know an upper you know this guy sit down like you're out if you're gonna do that again i think there should be some of that absolutely but if he's not gonna do that again. I think there should be some of that. Absolutely. But if he's not going to do that, then someone in that clubhouse has to say something. Absolutely. If it's not going to be Topper, and it seems like

they know it's not going to be Topper, whoever it is, Schwarber, JT, one of you dudes who's a leader who's playing, Harper's not there, get up and say something. Well, and I don't think it'd be Schwarber because Schwarber did it twice. Yeah, you're right. Schwarber can't say anything. You're right. He can't say anything. And he's also, and I love Schwarber, but he is also one of those guys that also believes, like, it's a long season, water-refinite level, it's not a big deal.

Totally. Whatever. It's like, I understand if it was one game where you guys got thrown out three times in the base pass. This has been an entire season. Seven times already this year. Again, we mentioned this last podcast. Turner's too new. Yep. He's not in that spot. Totally. And this is

where it keeps coming back to Reese. This is something that I believe Reese would be like, what are we doing? We can't just run to outs on the bases. Yeah, no doubt. JT's quiet. He's not going to be someone that's going to get in your face about things. It was

always Schwarber and Hoskins that were like the the leaders of this team Bryce is also a bad base runner so he couldn't say anything anyway Bryce the worst Bryce was doing this all last year it wasn't a big deal because he's Bryce so um but yeah this is where I I believe that if if Thompson's not going to do it then it should it would have to be Reese but if it's not Reese I don't know who it is and um but it's something that's just like, we've got to figure it out. Yeah, dude. It basically cost them a game yesterday. Not basically.

It cost them a game yesterday. And it could have cost them another one. It's unacceptable. You're talking about this is like rookie mistakes here. And it's like the beginning of last season with the defense. It was horrible, horrible, horrible, and they figured it out and got it together. But, like, at least bad defense. They're bad defenders.

You know, like, this is totally avoidable. Like, there are no excuses. Like, the only one you can even start to excuse is the Marsh one because Watham did initially give him the go and then put up the stop sign. He might not have seen it until late. Like, that happens. But Marsh the last time ran through it, like, and then put up the stop sign. He might not have seen it until late. Like, that happens. But Marsh the last time ran through it, like, and didn't get back in time. And it's just, you can't do this, especially right now, Jack.

Like we talked about, like, they're hurt. This team is not the full complement of guys that we expect them to be. Like, they're not good enough right now to give away outs, to make mistakes like that. Like, they have to, just like we talked about when Bryce was out last year, those 50 games, 32 and 20, because everyone stepped up and everyone, like, played their role and did what they're supposed to. And it was a team effort.

And we're not seeing that at all right now. And now's when they have to step up with Harper out, with restun like derrick hall we'll get to that like they need to play smart baseball because they don't have the same margin for error they do when they've got the full complement of guys yeah and and that's been the the a bit of a frustrating part um of the beginning of the season is that there hasn't it hasn't felt like there's been that locked-in-ness that we saw for a lot of last year. And it felt like, get back to the bank and we'll figure it all out. It's good to be back. And for the most part, I agree.

I thought the home opener was really cool. I was down there for pregame and then hung out for a couple innings where I had to leave and go to postgame. But it was so interesting because it was like, I walked into a place that I didn't feel like the team was one in five, you know, everyone, everyone was just kind of like,

yeah, we're back. Like we're going to be like, it's fine. People were banging on the, the Nova care booth or the Deborah heart and lungs in our booth again. Yeah. Um,

you know, and everyone just, it was just good vibes all around and you saw them introduced and, you know, Reese and Bryce raised the flag. Which was awesome. And it was like, everything's fine. Everything's fine. But they, it seems like they're just kind of relying on the bank to kind of carry them, which is a fun place to be at as a Phillies fan again.

But we know that that's not. Yeah. That's not going to happen all year long. Absolutely not. Yes. Yes, we know that. Especially if they don't start winning games. I mean, I said that so many times coming in that they had such an opportunity here to fill that freaking ballpark this year.

If they came out, if they were 6-3 or let's say 8-7-2 instead of 3-6, people would be excited. People would be going to these games. If they don't right the ship quickly, it's going to be a summer of people not showing up as much. They're on their way. They're fine. No, I... Look, I do think they're on their way.

It was a positive weekend. I don't think... Saturday was frustrating, but they came back and won. Whatever. That's going to happen in the baseball season. And then yesterday, I just... They're not going to walk nine people in a game.

It's crazy. For the bad base running, And then yesterday, they're not going to walk nine people in a game. For the bad base running, Tom Walker walked five guys in four and a third or whatever. That's unacceptable, especially for a guy who's been around as long as he has. Absolutely. So yesterday, I'm more taking away some of the positives, like Boehm doing stuff again. Yeah, crushed that one. Crushed it. Yeah, that was awesome. I've never seen him do that. like like boom doing stuff again and it's like yeah crush i mean crushed it yeah that's like

that was that was awesome never seen him do no that was the only time i've seen like upper deck left field just totally raking it yeah yeah so like cassianos has had a good weekend doubles machine he's back hold on leads the nl on double yeah yeah and not a great fielding weekend for him. Should have made the catch yesterday. Should have made the catch. Full disclosure. I mean, go on. But, like, this might be a bold take. Ooh.

I know. Uh-uh. You're known for bold takes on this. No, I know. I know. And I don't want this to turn into, like, oh, my God, there goes hot take Fritz back again. I don't dread Nick Cassiano's at bats at the point.

Wow. I know. That is shocking. That's a big step forward. Yeah, it is. It's a big step forward. Because, all right, let me just break this down real quick. He made a swing change.

He did. I love it. You're like, let me break this down real quick. This is it. He made a swing change. Which is important. So, early in the year, he's more like waving the bat, You're like, let me break this down real quick. This is it. He made a swing change. Which is important. So early in the year, he's more like waving the bat,

and it never felt like he was ever in a set spot or whatever. I don't know. Basically, what I saw in a minor tweak was that they got his hands a little further away from him, a little higher. They're not moving as much. And it looks like before he goes and tries to attack a baseball, his hands get to a set spot, so they're kind of sitting there for a second, and then he's exploding on it. So, well, exploding is a bit of a

It's a bit of a big term. Yes. But he smoked at least two doubles over the weekend. And a couple of left fields, great to see. And he's walking. He's got a 371 OBP right now. Which is, I mean, Schwarber, take a lesson. Kyle Schwarber has one walk this season.

Yeah, it's so weird. One walk. It's so weird. Like, what are you doing, man? Because he's, he, the last two years has, he still has a really good eye. Like, he knows when to launch. But he's not working counts at all. I mean, it's like, he's trying to be.

And he's at the top of the lineup, man. I know. I know. He's trying to be aggressive. He's trying to be aggressive and top of the lineup. I know. And he's trying to be aggressive. He's trying to be aggressive and hit the ball in the ballpark. But, yeah, the Kyle Schwarber, like, on base thing that was part of the selling point on him. Totally. It just hasn't happened so far.

Well, and especially when he comes into this year and he's like, and I'm going to take advantage of the shift. I'm going to put the ball in play. And this and that. It's like, bro. Well, he poked one over the left fielder. Sure. He smoked one. Yeah,

and then he got thrown out taking a gigantic freaking turn on a clear single. Listen, they're playing some dumb baseball. Yeah. They're playing some dumb baseball.

It's so funny. So now, you know what we talked about the last couple years? Like, oh, we had to survive having the worst bullpen

in the history of baseball. Yep. We had awful starting pitching. We had the worst defense in the history of baseball. Now, now it's the base running. Like, we can't just be normal. You have to be, like, the worst.

Yeah, it can't just be, like, they're 15. You know what I mean? You're right. It has to be, like, no, they're awful. They're the worst we've seen. They're setting records. Setting records. The center field thing in April, like, two years ago.

It's, like, the worst position in the sport is the Philly center field thing in April two years ago. It's like the worst position in the sport is the Philly center fielder. How, as a major league baseball team, do you get thrown out three times on the bases? Like three times. Again, Little League. I know. It really is. Little League is the exact word for it. So it's been a problem all year.

I mean, it's not like yesterday was like an aberration. You know, you mentioned the Yankees game, the day game, where Nola bounced back. It's like Turner got picked off. Hall got thrown out of second base. Like there's been so many little things. And again, I just, I know it's not Rob Thompson's character, but you are now the manager.

Yes, exactly. You've never had to do that before. It's okay. but you are now the manager. Yes, exactly. You've never had to do that before. It's okay. These guys are professionals. Yeah. And I just don't know if there's a voice outside. Like if Reese was still there, and I know he's there, but he's not there. If Reese was still around, I think he could handle it.

But if you know that one of your leaders isn't there, you're the leader of the clubhouse, you know, I believe he has a great pulse on the guys in that locker room, then you've got to say something. And I'm sure, I hope he is. And this isn't like, I would be shocked if he wasn't. You know what I mean? I mean, how could he not? How could he just watch this and just be like,

all right, we'll get him tomorrow. Like, no! This is on you. This is management. This is not like, oh, a guy can't hit right now or he's in a slump or whatever this is dumb baseball and i will say i do think that because topper is who he is and goes about it the way he does and he's you know friendly with the guys and all that like i think he carries more weight if he does do that right like if he starts yelling or topper's

version i don't think he can raising his voice a little bit or whatever. Like, that would hit me because he never does that. It's like, oh, crap. Like, maybe we should listen to the nice guy yelling at us right now. Now, I would be surprised if he wasn't. I think he's done something. The question is, is he, like, really going at him? And then the other question is, like, and, again, this is unlike anything I've experienced

in baseball. I have no I have no like historical precedence here. But do they just not care what Dusty Watson says? Dude, it's unbelievable. Like I don't ever remember a team that ran through as many signs. Yeah, it's like, yeah, he's the next, uh, no.

Yeah, what is he now? Yeah, whatever, Dusty. We'll just keep, like, that's, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Like, what is going on here? So, like, maybe there's some. Run with your head up? Are you looking even? Like, maybe you're just not even looking at him. Maybe you're like, ah, I got it.

I've never experienced it. Yeah. They're all just kind of going rogue. Yeah. And they're just, like, doing their own thing. And that's, I mean, obviously, everyone knows the job of third base coaches. His eyes are on everything. So, like, he should be knowing what to do.

Absolutely. It's like, what are they? So you think you running with the ball behind you is a better idea? Yeah. So hopefully they lock it in and they nail it down because right now, I mean, that cost them a game yesterday. They should have won that game like 6-2. It wasn't a competitive game.

They should have been up by way more heading into the ninth inning before Sir Anthony was bad. So, yeah, I would be surprised if Thompson wasn't said anything. But if he's not, my only comment would be the 08 team beloved Charlie Manuel. You know what I mean? Charlie Manuel is a player's manager too, but he would be tough on those guys. Andy Reid. I mean, he benched

rollins that of course you know he would do that stuff when he needed to andy reed is someone that his players still love and he's like the tough like george hagerman it's still like this day we talk we talked about wip today like the george hagerman thing like he set the tone it's okay i'm just saying like it's these guys they'll be able to handle it i think they need it you're not gonna be able to handle it like i think they need it. It's not just they'll be able to handle it. Like, I think they need it. You're not going to ruin relationships. You're not going to. It's just you've got to be tough at some points.

Like, you've got to be tough at some points. We know it's a long season. And if this was a one-game thing, it's like, yeah, okay, that's fine. But this has been a whole season. Yeah. It's been a whole season. And they have blatantly not looked at the third base, Coach, and have been like, eh, whatever.

That can't happen. I got it. You're Kyle Schwarber. You're slow. Yeah. On top of that, exactly. It's not that these are like burners being like, oh, I got it. I'm fast.

At least Brandon Marsh is fast. If it's Trey Turner that's like, I can make this. Go for it, buddy. Do your thing. It's Nick Cassiano. Yes. It's Kyle Schwarber. Yes.

It's Derek Hall. You should never be going for the extra base if you're those guys. Just always be happy with the base you got. You know? I'm right there with you, dude. Quickly, shout out to Miller Lite. Were there a lot of Miller Lites down at the stadium being drank? There was.

It's taking over the ballpark. As it should. Miller Lites for Phil's wins. We just need some more wins for the Miller Lites. Again, if the season keeps going the way it's going, Miller Lites for Phil's losses. Miller Lites for Phil's comebacks We just need some more wins for the Miller Lights. Again, if the season keeps going the way it's going, Miller Lights for Phil's losses. Miller Lights for Phil's comebacks. I like that. I've got a whole bunch. Listen, I will

be able to pivot off of Miller Lights. Oh, we know you can pivot. You're always ready to pivot. You're always ready to take on the next thing when it doesn't go the way you expect. Again, the only problem is now that I do postgame, it's like, well, can I do it? I don't want to be looking like I'm drinking all game. That's a good point.

And then getting on here. Going on WIP, probably less than smart. Yeah, well, it is what it is. It is what it is. Sometimes you got to do things for the bit. That's right. Even if it means your career. Yeah, sure.

It's all good. Let's go with that. Everything's fine. All right, let's get into some of the specifics from the weekend. Sir Anthony yesterday obviously was horrendous, really struggled, hasn't been great this year, you know, got out of that jam the other day, has been hit or miss. The bullpen in general, look, Jose Alvarado obviously, I mean,

he's struck out 11 of 12 guys that he's gotten out. I mean, he has been just lights out. But outside of that, up and down, I mean, Soto looked good again this weekend, but, you know, he's at out 11 of 12 guys that he's gotten out I mean he has been just lights out but outside of that up and down I mean Soto looked good again this weekend but he's had his moments Brogdon's looked good at times he's had his moments Belotti's been pretty locked in he's been great but for the most part it's not as high leverage

that's the point yeah no so like where you at with the bullpen particularly Sir Anthony struggles you know over the weekend well Sir Anthony wasn't very good in spring training either and look he's coming off his pitching his deepest run. We talk about it so much for Wheeler and Nola, but it matters for those guys too. Sir Anthony's never had to pitch that deep and pitch

that much. Yeah, but at the same time, Alvarado pitched just as much and he struck out like everyone. Sure, but it doesn't affect everyone the same way. I'm just saying it could be a part of it. Yeah, it probably is. I just think it has to be something mechanical of it. Yeah, it probably is. I just think it has to be something mechanical because it's like he's walking way more guys than he did last year,

and he runs into a problem. I think there's some times with his mechanics where he pulls off, and when he really opens up earlier than he should rather than staying back, his stuff just doesn't pop as much. When he's opening up a little bit early, his 99 with sink is just flatter versus when he stays closed and stays back, and that thing comes out like a bowling ball.

One of the nastiest pitches we've seen in Philadelphia the last whatever. Yeah, so I think it's it's mechanical for him at this point like if he which is good that's what you want you want it to be

something they can adjust and fix and not like oh my arm is in trouble if he was throwing 95 we'd be concerned but it's I mean yesterday he was like 99

with sink but then the strike out Will Myers he hit like 97 on our cutter it's like come come on, man. You still got it. It's there.

You still got it. Please throw a strike. Also, his slider is just not even a competitive pitch right now, which he needs. So yeah, I think it's more mechanical. Stuff is all still there. And he also is a little bit of a confidence guy. I think

when he gets on a roll, it'd be good. Um, but he's had what, two blow up outings and, and, and four or five outings. Yeah. So, uh, definitely not like totally pressing the panic button. I think they'll figure it out, but yeah, has been brutal so far. Uh, I mean, Kimbrough, this is what we expected. I mean, you like, we, well, you know what? I think we have to go back and say the one for Dave.

Sorry, we can't do it anymore, buddy. Nope. We can't give you one. We gave you a little leeway. We said one for Dave. All right, we'll accept it. We're done with it. No more for Dave.

We gave you Chase Anderson. We gave you Matt Moore. Yep. Even though Matt Moore is like developed into a guy. Yeah, pretty good. Yeah. We gave you Familia. Yep.

We gave you Brad Hand. Mm-hmm. We gave you Craig Kimbrell. Enough. Enough. Please enough. you familia we gave you a brad hand we gave you craig kimbrell enough enough please like it's just it's it's not it it's 93 and 94 versus when he used to be 97 98 and the other big problem with kimbrel now is that it is you know he he's having trouble locating a slider. So back in the day when he couldn't locate a slider, he's like, okay, well, here's 98 in the zone. Just go by, yeah, exactly.

But he can't do that anymore because he's 93 now. So I have always been pressing the panic button on Kimbrel, and I know he's gotten some outs so far this year, but, like, I just don't foresee this going very well. No, look, and there's a spot where Topper's going to have to, and I know he won't do it right away, but we talked about with the lineup and Topper seems hesitant to move veterans out of certain spots and all that, but Kimbrell can't be pitching high-leverage innings for you

in the near future if this continues. Alvarado, Soto, those guys, at least Soto, he's had some blowups, but we've also seen where it's like, oh, wow, like, that dude's got stuff. That dude can be nasty. Like, those guys have to be pitching. I mean, Belotti. Belotti should be pitching in higher leverage innings than Kimbrel.

Like, Kimbrel should be the middle of the game guy in a 6-2 game or a 7-3 game or whatever it is. Like, he can't be pitching save situations. He can't be pitching the eighth inning. He is not good enough, like, flat out. Yeah, well, and, again, I just don't know why they signed him. I just don't. We know why.

I know. Because of Dave. That's why. But even the frustrating part about that. They gave him $10 million, man. $10 million for that guy. Like, think about that. I know.

But the frustrating thing about, like, well, he's Dave's guy, it's like, hold on. He didn't even pitch him in the World Series. They didn't let him close out the World Series. Chris Sale had to come in. Like, how crazy is that? It was Sale and Evaldi. Yeah. Sale, Evaldi.

Yeah, Evaldi became, like, a closer for them, too. Like, what are we doing? Like, whatever. I just, I don't like watching the well that's even beside the point forgetting how bad he's been like he is really annoying to watch well it's just like ball ball ball yeah and the whole routine and this it's like dude like it is impressive that he can still uh you know fit it all in with the yeah but i don't think it's helping him i think he's speeding it, and I think that's probably part of it, too. He certainly doesn't seem super comfortable with it.

I just don't think his stuff's there anymore. Well, that, too. Yes, it's all bad. It's all bad with Craig Kimbrell. This is not surprising. I'm pretty sure we could use $10 million elsewhere. Yeah, you think? Yeah, I'm pretty sure.

Pretty sure there's someone else out there. Yeah, I think so. I don't know. There's other veteran pitchers that weren't showing the massive signs. Like, the Dodgers left them off their postseason roster. Yeah, the Dodgers left them off. I mean, think about that. And we're getting $10 million?

It's familial all over again. And Brad Hand, I mean, people say, oh, like a two-something year. I don't care. I don't care what Brad Hand's E mean, people say, oh, like a two-something year. I don't care. I don't care what Brad Hand's ERA was last year. At least that was only a couple million. And you don't want him, but still, at least it's a couple million. Give $10 million. That's money that you could have gotten two relievers who are better than him for that.

You could have gotten a starter on a one-year deal. You could have made your team better, and they didn't. Yeah. Well, I think the one thing that will help the bullpen is the back-end options are going to be Soto, Alvarado, and Sir Anthony. They're still scared about Soto

it seems like. They've been pitching the fifth or sixth. I know he had 11 losses last year, but he did have 30 saves. There's obviously stuff there. When Ranger is back, Strom, I think I like Matt Strom. I love Matt Strom. I don't think there's a

single Phillies, and we'll see what happens tonight against Alcantara, I don't think there's a single Phillies fan who after that start in New York does not like Matt Strom right now. That dude's awesome. Yeah, well, and he was always signed to be a back-end-ish option. He was never going to be a closer, but he was a guy that they, I believe, envisioned could pitch 6th, 7th, 8th. They didn't sign him to be a back-end-ish option. He was never going to be a closer, but he was a guy that I believe

and vision could pitch 6th, 7th, 8th. They didn't sign him to be a spot starter or a long man. No. And they gave him real money, not as much as Kimbrell, God forbid. Right? $7.5 million for that guy. I'd rather pay him $7.5 million than Kimbrell. I mean, come on.

Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah, so I think that when Ranger's back, that Schramm goes back there, and that gives them at least another guy that you... Who was giving Kimbrel nine? I'm sorry, who was giving him nine? I don't know. Who were you competing against there? I'm sorry. I know. I don't know who

was. Nobody. Nobody was. No one was. It's... Love Dave. I know. Once a year. Yeah. Just your instinct, right? Don't. Don't. Don't do it. If it's an older dude who you know from another time or whatever,

just don't do it. Yeah, just be like, I'm not going to do it. I know that's my instinct. I'm going to give it to a younger guy with more options. So, yes, not enjoying the Greg Kimbrell experience so far. All right, offensively. And we'll get to the starting pitching from the weekend because I do want to hear your thoughts on Wheeler. Bailey Falter, the stopper.

I know. Dude, I mean. I know, and I have an official statement on Bailey Falter. Okay, so actually let's do the pitching real quick, and then we'll get to the offensive side. So give me your thoughts on Falter and Wheeler and what you saw from them. Okay, so starting with Wheeler, I hope that he is still ramping up because I'm starting to have this kind of fear that he's not ramping up because, like,

I'm starting to have this kind of fear that he's not ever going to hit 99 or 100 again. And now he's 95 to 96 mile an hour wheeler. And the other concerning part is that it's two straight starts where fourth, fifth inning it's like, oh, there's the decline. Feet are out, yeah. Yeah, which is not great. And, you know, this is a guy that I thought was going to be back in Cy Young contention this year. He's pitched 170 things, I think, back-to-back years.

So he's kind of trained himself to get back to where he was, or pitch into that kind of status. But so far, he's still striking out a lot of guys, it seems like. Still doesn't have the best feel for his off-speed. It's one of those things where I think he's really good, and, you know, there's certain things that are going to happen. I believe it's more he's ramping himself back up rather than, like, hit the season ready to go, bang. I got seven, eight starts, or seven, eight innings per start.

Because, like, I think that in a month from now if a month from now his stuff is still declining in the fifth inning i think it's definitely cause for concern right now i view it more as give it a month and then we'll let him because he's he's kind of been a slow starter like kind of figures it out as he goes i agree i feel like so um yeah that's where I'm at with Wheeler. And also, look, I know we just mentioned it before, but he did pitch the longest he's ever pitched. He pitched in November. He had a shorter offseason, all that stuff.

It wouldn't be shocking for him to have a slow start or the arm not quite be where they are. But, I mean, I thought Noble had a good bounce back, so now it's time for Wheeler to do the same. And then Bailey Falter, the official statement on Bailey Falter is that he's never going to wow you. You're never going to be like, oh my God, look at his stuff. But he's fine. Gets outs, man.

Gets outs. It's never going to be pretty. He's going to walk some people. He's going to allow the home run every once in a while. But, like, every first inning, I feel like on Twitter, and the reaction is like, God, Billy Falter sucks. And then you look up. There's like five one-run innings.

I'll take it. Like, when you're freaking out about, and he's going to have blow-ups, he's not like a flawless pitcher, When you're freaking out about, and he's going to have blow-up starts. He's not a flawless pitcher. But he is very clearly a guy who he's never going to be great in the first, and then he figures it out as he goes. He's always off in the first inning. If he goes one, two, three in the first inning,

it's like, uh-oh, he's going to be amazing today. That's an aberration. He might throw a no-hitter that day. He never does it. He's always to be amazing. That's an aberration. He might throw a no-hitter that day. He never does it. He's always allowing runners, but he figures it out. And I don't know how else to tell people that, but he figures it out. He calms. He gets it in a rhythm.

He finds the strike zone. It's 91. I know it's not what we see now, which is like 96, 97. The changeup is not that great. He's got to figure that one out because it drives me nuts. But whatever. He's working on it. Curveball's all right.

Slider's all right. It's never going to wow you. But he's solid. Just let Bailey Falter live. He's a good fifth starter. He's not a long man. He's not a sick starter. He's a fifth starter and a pretty good one in Major League Baseball.

I don't know what people think a fifth starter is. Dude, look at every team in baseball. Fifth starters are horrible. They are innings eaters. There's a reason that phrase is there. It's because that's what those guys do. They go out and pitch to a four-something ERA and eat a bunch of innings. That's what fifth starters are.

Billy Fulter's a good one. He's fine. It's just so funny because the reaction's always like this guy's terrible i know well we get so we get so myopic because we we only care about the phillies here in philadelphia you know we're very provincial and all that and people just focus on our players without being like oh i wonder what you know the the royals fist starter is like or the the even the good teams like the the whoever's fist starter they're none of them are good yeah um so i know this is obviously gonna blow up in our faces and he's gonna get lit up his next start yes but that's my official position on bailey falter uh tywon walker it was weird

yesterday it was a weird tywin walker outing and i think i think it's very clear that they're very matchup dependent on how they're going to use his stuff. So I think the Reds had more lefties in the lineup yesterday, and he threw way more splitters and four-seamers. And then against the Yankees, he threw way more sliders. So, you know, that's something to monitor. I thought his slider was nasty against the Yankees. I thought it was really good. And so, again, he's one of those guys where I'm kind of in this monitoring state of the fastball below is down to 93, off of 96,

didn't throw the slider as much, threw more splitters. Splitter is something that puts a lot of strain on your elbow. So, like, hope he's fine. But there was a little part of me yesterday that was like, I mean, he wasn't commanding the strike zone well. He walked five people. So, again, hope the next star is fine and the velocity is back up because that one was just like, what is he doing?

Like, you've been in the big leagues long enough. You can't walk five people in an outing. Especially against the Reds. Like, what are you fearing these guys for? I know. Let them hit it, man. There was a lot of fear pitching.

I mean, that was as no-name a lineup. I mean, there are other teams like that, but that is up there, man. Like, that is... I mean, I had never heard of a couple of guys.

I didn't know who Steer was. Yeah, Steer. I'd never heard of that guy. Like, I've heard of Fraley, but, like, he's nobody. I've heard of Friedel, but he's nobody. I mean, it was a bunch of, like, like, he's nobody. I've heard of Friedel, but he's nobody. I mean, it was a bunch of, like, nothing in that line.

Yeah. Besides my guy, Jonathan. Yeah, like, he's fine, you know, but that is an unbelievably. Will Myers is batting cleanup for him. Will Myers, exactly. In the year 2023. So, yeah. Go at those guys, man.

Yeah. It's okay to use your fastball. Yes. So, yeah. Monitoring stay with Tom Walker. Hopefully this stuff comes back. The starting staff is just... It's been okay.

It's been okay. Of the three portions of the team, they have just been the most like... Fine. They've been the least reason they've lost the most games. They've had moments, but the starting pitching's been enough. If they hit better, if they didn't make stupid base frame mistakes,

if the bullpen didn't blow games, they'd be better. So, I'm with you. Alright, let's get to the offense from this weekend. And I'm going to get to Derek Hall in a sec, but what's it out to you? I mean, Bryson Stott, like, wow, the command of the strike zone this kid has. His age, I don't know if you saw this stat, and I don't know if it's true, but he was one of seven players heading into the weekend in all of baseball who had yet to swing and miss to pitch in the strike zone. Yeah. Just like, dude, like his command of the strike zone, his age, the ability to put the bat on the ball, he's obviously batting like 415 or 420 or whatever it is, the big hit on Saturday.

I'm really excited about, I he's he's a player man yeah i think you should bet i think he should be bad second exactly yeah he should be batting second you should be batting too and i i know it's not home three four over four that should be your top four right now right um well they're gonna keep jt at three but rjt that's fine yeah yeah but i like moving bone up you're right jt's fine there too but i would put bone there yeah uh i think i think you should be batting too and i know this is like not like it's not in modern baseball but they don't have the lineup right now where you can put like a trout or a or a judge at the second you know in the second spot and let them kind of go but with the with the way they way they're currently put together,

it's just like, I love Schwarber, but it's still a lot of strikeouts in the two hole. And I think when you have Trey Turner, when you have Trey Turner as your leadoff hitter, and you have him on first base, having a guy like Bryson Stott hitting behind him with the ability to put the bat on the baseball, you could do more crazy content.

Hit and run? What a thought. You could do some hit and runs. That's crazy. You could do some hit and runs. If Trey Turner goes to steal second base, Stott can poke a ball through a hole. Stott's never going to be – 20 home runs is a big year for him. That's probably his max someday if he gets there, somewhere in that range.

Right, but the back control, his whiff percentage is 98. He could bat 300. Bryson Stott's going to have a season where he gets there. Somewhere in that range. Right, but the back control, I mean, his whiff percentage is 98. He could bat 300. Bryson Saad's going to have a season where he hits 300. I believe that. He's in the 98th percentile of whiff rate right now in baseball. It's just like, for the way that they're, until Bryce is back,

it just makes too much sense to put him in that two spot and let him kind of, like, let these, if you're going to have, I am a proponent of this because I like trying to jump on pitchers, but, like, Turner's an aggressive leadoff hitter. He is looking to do damage from the first pitch of the game. But if you have that guy and then you have Turner batting, or stop batting, too, who can kind of work the guy

and have him kind of worn down a little bit, rather than Turner, who's aggressive, Schwar Schwarber who has turned into an aggressive so aggressive this year it's like bro I know so if you have those guys one two it's just like bang you're three pitches into the game great point and JT's already up um so at least at this point it lengthens it out a little bit makes the first thing longer and and Scott's not going to be uncomfortable batting up that high. No. Like, I just think it's almost a waste having him bat six.

It's like, what is he going to do, just, like, hit a single there? Like, at least at the top of the lineup, he can work a pitcher, do some things, you know, get the guys behind him seeing all the pitches that a guy has, that a starter has. So I would move him to two and move Schwarber to the cleanup spot and let him kind of, if he's just going to be a home run or bust guy. Then put him in the cleanup spot. Then put him in the cleanup spot.

Yeah. And he was batting sixth for the U.S. team. So it's not like he has to bat at the top of the lineup. So yeah, I would bat Stott too. I would go Turner, Stott. I mean, I would put Boehm there. I think they'll put JT there. They would put JT. I agree. But I would put Boe Stott. I mean, I would put Boehm there. I think they'll put JT there. They would put JT.

I agree. But I would put Boehm there. JT, Schwarber, Boehm, Castellanos. Lengthen that thing out. Yeah. And you could still have your precious righty lefty. Dude, okay. So I'm happy you brought this up because this is in my notes.

Like, he's so weird about this. Like, I think we talked about that. Like, what are you doing, man? Like, it's okay for two righties to bat a row. Like, it happens all the time. Some of the best lineups in baseball have multiple righties in a row. I know. Anyway.

What else you got from the offense before we get to the Hall injury? I do think it was a positive. Cassidy on us, Wigan. Look, I agree. I agree. I agree. Minus the running and fielding part of it. Positive.

Listen, baby steps. Baby steps. Baby steps. Baby steps. But I'm in on new Swing James. Not the most heady baseball player. I am in on Swing James Castellanos. Look, that is good. It is good.

That makes me feel good. Lead the NL in doubles. I know. He's a doubles machine and an outfield assist machine. There we go. He's got like five outfield assists already. Does he really? Might win the gold glove.

No. Stop. Gold glove? You sure? Sure. Oh, speaking of... I mean, Rafael Palmeiro won a gold glove

playing 27 games one season. Really? Yeah. Speaking of line decisions, can we just let Brandon Marsh play every day? Oh, dude.

Although, he's got a passion to smoke a double over the weekend. Unbelievable. Most shocking thing that's happened all season. Putting the bat on the ball.

Brandon Marsh is good. It's so funny because all we talked about this whole offseason was like Boehm, Stott, and Marsh. If those three hit, your lineup is insane. It's like, whoa. Well, they already are. They've all kind of hit. We thought Stott was going to be a 280 to 300-ish hitter.

We thought that Alec Boehm was going to take this kind of big step forward from the power and that stuff. And we thought Marsh could just be serviceable. It's not like we're asking him to be a 300 hitter with 20 homers. Just bat 260. 260 with a couple homers and steal some bags. And he's been that. So you've got to figure out if he can hit lefties.

So I don't know why we have to do this every game. He can't be worse than Pashy. What are we doing here? I don't care if it's a lefty or not. He's your everyday center fielder. He's your everyday center fielder. Just let him play every day. I couldn't agree more.

100 million percent. Pashy is a late inning defensive replacement. That's what that dude is. That's the only role he can play on a baseball team. And he's great at that role. He's a perfect guy to have put in one of those spots and say, all right, make plays out there if it comes your way. But just stop

it. Just stop with the right-lefty thing. What are we doing, man? I know. Topper has not had a great start. I know we talked about before, but like, and I'm going to give him time. It's six games, or nine games I mean, but like, man. I know. Topper has not had a great surgency. I know we talked about it before, but like, and I'm going to give him time. It's six games, or nine games, I mean. But like, man. I know.

Unimpressed with our guy, Topper. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. He's got to figure it out. And then, obviously, we'll talk about Sosa and Hall and Boehm or whatever. Last thing on the offense is that I'm sorry. It's now personal

I'm going to bet a Trey Turner home run every day Until he hits one I can't take it He's got to hit one out You need one Yeah I've sunk enough into it To where it's like

Now I just need it I'm not going to bet on the one where he hits the home run You're so deep That if you miss the one he hit Yeah, it's like What's the point? You thought about the fact that you betting on him might be the reason he's not hitting. Right.

You could be hurting him by betting on him. I don't want to live in that reality. I don't want to live in that reality. I like that. I like that. You're saying I should not bet him today. I'm just, you know. It is Alcantara.

He's not going to hit all. He's definitely not going to hit all. I'm going to call Alcantara. So, it's personal. Okay. Between do it all. So it's personal. Between me and Trey, it's personal. I think that's fair. I think it's fair. But maybe I should not do it. I'm just saying. For the good of the Phillies. That's what I'm saying.

I'm just saying you've been known to have some influence as they say in the past. I won't bet Trey Turner to the Marlins series. See what happens. And see what happens. Okay.

I like it. But if he hits a home run or two home runs, you owe me 50 bucks. This sounds like a horrible deal to me. No, it sounds like

a fair trade. What am I getting out of this? All right, now you. Everyone listening. We'll start a GoFundMe. If you don't want me to bet on the players, I like this,

even though I had another bum bet yesterday. Look at you. If you don't want me to bet on the players. I like this. Even though I had another bum bet yesterday. Look at you. If you don't want me to bet on the players, Venmo me. How's that? That's where the pod's at. We're asking for money. Venmo me. For gambling.

Yes. It's good. It seems healthy. It seems appropriate. It seems healthy. And yeah, so the Derek Hoffman. Yeah, so obviously if you have not seen the news, it just came out, I believe, over the weekend.

Not good. He's going to have surgery on a ligament in his finger and his thumb. Said he hopes to be back at some point this season. Let's say surgery on your hand for a hit or not, an ideal injury to have. I don't think you can certainly count on Hall as a part of this roster right now cody clemens your other first baseman i mean obviously right now it'll be bowman so i think that'll be what you see the vast majority but we've talked about a lot like dave's got to be on the phones at least finding

out what what crone's gonna cost what i mean the thai max aren't gonna give walk away yet because they're they're competing, but like call these teams that are not competing. Like you always talk about the A's Aguilar, like whatever you got to do, like now's the time it's time to go get somebody. Yeah. I mean,

and the thing is, is I, and you have a world series window. Your team is built right now. Yes. Like you can't just wait, like waste the season away just because some injuries happen. You're too pocket-mitted to be in that spot.

The one caveat is get whatever you can, but don't give up McGarry or Abel. Yeah, well, not for CJ Crumlin or something. But Walker might cost Abel. He might. If they wanted to really push their chips in. I don't think they would. I don't think they will either. So, yeah.

But it's like the mentality can't be, oh, we'll wait until the deadline. It just can't. They're already under 500, which they can get back very quickly. But they do have to invigorate some level of like, no, all this stuff matters. Every game matters, especially in the division, especially when you're trying to make the playoffs. Every game matters.

And even if it's like signing Darren Ruff. Wow. Even if it's signing Darren Ruff, there's no way. Cody Clemens is not good. Oh, Darren Ruff's better than no way. Like, Cody Clemens is not good. Oh, Darren Ruff's better than Cody Clemens. So, you know, and if you want to make Sosa, honestly, it all comes down to Sosa. Like, if Sosa, for the next, like, I think the way they're viewing this is, the next two weeks are Mundo Sosa's.

And if Mundo goes out and does what I think a lot of people believe he can do. What he's done already when he's played this season for the most part. And if he can just be your everyday third baseman and Boehm can stick at first base, which he like my thing with Boehm at first base is that he's made such great strides defensively at third base. Why do I think it's so absurd he can go over and play first base? Of course he can figure it out, right? He also like, I mean, when he's up there with the glove and you see him,

like, he looks like a first baseman. He is a giant over there. That is a big target to throw. It just feels like a first baseman when he's over there. Yeah. So, you know, I think that, I think the Browski has to be on the horn. He knows that. And I think they will be.

And I would still sign Darren Ruff just for the hell of it. Well, the point is, I think regardless of if they're going to go with the Boehm-Sosa thing, you need another bat. You still need someone else here. You've lost too many dudes. I mean, we're talking about Cody Clemens getting opportunities. I mean, that's crazy. It's crazy. But I do think that if you want a big move,

it's only going to come if Emundo can't play. If it proves in the next two weeks that he can't play, or can't come up offensively. The thing is that I think he can. I think he can too. I'm talking about a crone trade. Like a crone trade. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I agree.

I would sign Ruff today. Sure. You could get Aguilar for nothing. You could get that kind of guy who could be your partial first baseman and you just go back to the platoon or whatever you do. Right. But a panicked, like, over-the-top all-in trade only happens to me

if Sosa proves the next month-ish, two weeks, that he can't hit. Yeah. I agree. And I don't think he will. I think at least he'll hit enough where I feel like they feel confident with him. But, again, it does diminish your team overall. You know, we don't have bench guys who can come in. Like, it was really nice to have Sosa who can, oh, Sosa can fill in here.

Sosa can come in and pinch hit for you like he did the other day in a home run as a pinch hit. You're like, you don't have those guys anymore. I mean, the depth on your roster after losing Hoskins and losing Hall is light, man. And guess what? Someone else is probably going to get hurt at some point. Let's hope it's not as bad an injury as these guys have suffered. But you're going to miss a couple weeks here, a month there, whatever it is.

That's what happens in baseball. And there's no one. There's no one. We're talking about Cody Clemens. And we talk about the young guys we have pitching-wise, the bullpen guys. They don't have that in the minors offense. They got Kingery.

Come on. He's got a jetpack. So I do think that I agree with you. I think that they're not going to go out and make a big move yet. I do think that you need to add somebody, and they need to be at least monitoring the big moves. You don't think that if an injury happens that Pache, Guthrie, and Kingery can come up and say the thing?

Well, you know I think Guthrie can do anything That's my Jewish brother He's a good little player I like him He's fine Yeah no I would sign Ruff But I just think that

You know ultimately Comes down to Can Sosa do the job And if he can Great It does hurt your overall depth I totally agree with you there But if he's an everyday player

He's an everyday player Yeah and look You're not going to get A better third baseman Defensively So you know See that if he's an everyday player, he's an everyday player. Yeah, and look, you're not going to get a better third baseman defensively. So, you know, if he can hit. See that play he made yesterday? Dude, like what a play.

What a play. I mean, that throw from like out of bounds there, like that was an awesome play. Out of bounds. I know. I know. I know. I mean, that's bad. I'm dumb right now.

It's a bad look. Very tired. Bad look. Out of bounds. I know. Foul territory. I know. I know. I know. I know. right now. It's a bad look. I'm very tired. Bad look. Out of bounds. I know. Foul territory. I know. I know.

I know. I know. I know. It popped out, all right? No, I know. Foul territory. But we're a baseball pod. We're a baseball pod.

I agree. Yes. Act like you watched the game before. Yes. Thank you. That's very kind. Yes. I'm dumb right now.

No, that's all right. I have not slept, all right? I feel dumb too. I feel dumber today. I'm so tired. Who's dumber, me or you? Today, me. Two and five. I feel dumb too. I feel dumber today. I'm so tired. Who's dumber, me or you? Today, me. Two and five.

I drove 13 hours the last day. Oh, come on, man. That's nice. What did you do while driving? Listen to music. Right. What did you listen to? Just a mix of songs.

Okay. Yeah, it was good. Yeah, but like your mix of songs is like what? It's like classic rock, some hip hop, you know, some 90s rock, that kind of stuff. Okay. Yeah. So you're not locked into one thing. No.

I got some oldies. I got some Motown. All of it. It's as eclectic as it gets. Wow. All about eclectic. Oldies? What do you constitute as oldies?

I'm talking like actual oldies. Like Motown, like 50s, like Runaround Sue is on there. 50s? Buddy Holly. I got some Buddy Holly on my mix it's atrocious Buddy Holly's the best

what are you talking about Buddy Holly's the most underrated musician no one's ever written a song about him after he passed away nicely done I see what you did there

good work the day the music died right the day the music died Elvis is also terrible I'm not a big Elvis guy he's just

he was a great performer yeah I'm with you not Elvis guy. He's just... He was a great performer. Yeah, I'm with you. It's not my case. All his music. I mean, come on. Yeah. Yeah. All right, well, good.

We're about, like, songwriters. We care about, like, the music. Well, I'm glad you had a fun trip up to the... I did. I had a great time. Zoe's first wedding. It was hilarious. Oh, nice.

Yes, she brought it. I sent you a picture of her jamming with the band leader. Yep. Yep. She carried a microphone around, like, anatable microphone around for like half the night. I was like, that is way too on the nose, dude. Like, rain it in. Yeah.

She's very me. She is a little seltz. Well, imagine if they gave her a real microphone. Oh, I know. Trust me. It would have gone well. Yeah. Yeah.

Well, she did get on the mic at one point. Nice. Yeah. Good. Yeah. It's pretty thrilling. So it was a great time. Good. It was a lot So, pretty thrilling. So, it was a great time. Good.

It was a lot of fun. Yeah. Well, you missed a good weekend of baseball. I know. I know. At least partially. Don't worry. 154 left.

That's right. Thanks, buddy. Thanks. All right. What's in the take back? You ready to play Is It Weird? You know I am. I love Is It Weird.

It's probably my favorite game. So, this has nothing to do with baseball, but it happened to me again today. And I was like, am I the only one that does that? Do you ever get excited when your change is a year? Like when you go to the cash register and it's like your change is a year. I don't, but I love this. So give me an example. It was like 1911.

You're like, wow. Your total day is 1911. But I do this in other spots like i i i like i will set the volume to a certain number that i like like you know for the bot like 52 for super bowl 52 i'll put my volume at 52 i have weird stuff with numbers for sure i'll like um i i will notice those type of things but i don't i'm not'm not like, yay, it was a year. Well, I know, but,

and maybe this is me morphing into dad Jack, but like whenever it's a year, I always say the cash register, like, huh, I wonder what was happening that, that year. You know what I mean?

And they're like, what? Yeah, like, cause I brought this up to cashiers. I'm like, do you ever think that's funny? You know,

when it, when it ends up being a year. Has anyone ever said yes? Well, they're like, ah, I haven't really thought about that. Exactly. Yeah. So yes like, do you ever think that's funny? You know, when it ends up being a year. Has anyone ever said yes? Well, they're like, ah, I haven't really thought about that. Exactly.

Yeah. So yes, I think you're weird. Yeah. Well, I enjoy it. I think it's a pretty different thing. And then at the top of the point.

Yeah. And then you start talking to the cashier and you have a friendly conversation. And you made a friend. Right. Look at that. Jack Fritz, friend of cashiers everywhere.

Yep. That's what I am. I like that. That is weird. Yeah. I understand. It's not like crazy. I just want to know if anyone else does it. It's a little weird. I like that. That is weird. Yeah. I understand. It's not like crazy. I just want to know if anyone else does it.

It's a little weird. Uh, buh, buh, buh, buh, buh, buh, buh. Oh. All right. Like, I'm very happy that they got rings yesterday.

Oh, good. I'm happy about this. But it's like, it was cool watching it, but in my heart, in my gut, I was like, we still lost. Dude, I think it's the dumbest thing in sports. Like, giving the losing team a ring for, you lost the World Series. But winning a pennant is important. Shoot, raise the pennant. I am fine with the pennant flag being up in the ballpark.

I am totally fine with that. You're giving him rings? You're giving a rings ceremony? All right, if you want to do rings, which again, I would not do, but if you want to give him rings for losing the World Series, just give him the rings. Don't do a whole freaking ceremony to hand out loser rings? Really?

And the rings themselves, like Middleton did not skimp on them. No, not at all. Gaudy ass rings. It's like, Middleton did not skimp on them. No, not at all. Like, those are gaudy-ass rings. It's like, you lost! You lost the World Series! What are we doing? The poppin' circumstance for a second-place team! Honestly, I'm a little embarrassed.

It's a little embarrassing. I was a little embarrassed. It was a lot. Yes! It was a lot. And, like, they had, like, the, you know, winning the series, and they had Dan's gonna run on it, and battling with the bank. It's like, what if they won?

What? Exactly. What do you do? Are you going to get a bigger ring that won't be able to fit on their hand? I don't know if that's possible, man. That's what I mean. That thing was insane. Insane.

And it's a loser ring. It's just so weird. I don't think losers should get rings. You get a ring when you win. That's it, in my opinion. It was a lot. Whatever. It's just so weird. I don't think losers should get rings. You get a ring when you win. That's it, in my opinion. It was a lot. Whatever. It was a lot.

It was cool, and I did well up when Reese came out. But it was like... Well, the Reese thing, that's awesome. That's a moment. But it's just like, I was like, all this? Yeah. For a loser. All this?

Great. Happy you brought that up, I meant. It was a lot. It was a Great. Happy you brought that up. It was a lot. It was a lot. That's about all I got. Yeah. Everything else we already covered.

See, I like that when we get to stuff before they take it back. Yeah, so let's win the real World Series. Yeah, and then we get all the rings in the world. If you win the World Series

this year, then it's like, well, who cares about the pennant ring from last year? Dude, I'm, again, I am right there with you. And if you're a player, don't you look at that

and be like, oh yeah, we lost. Like, I would look at it and all it would be for me was a reminder of the Jordan,

Jordan Homer or whatever. Like, I'd be like, oh yeah, oh yeah, thanks. It was almost like,

it was like, it's almost like we haven't been there in so long. We're gonna celebrate, yeah. Yeah, and it's like,

well, let's just get there more often. Yeah. And then also the message it sends like to the point where it was like, all right, we won two. We're feeling good again. Then we get our rings. We're like, we're awesome.

And then we're going to play like crap. Yeah. Not, not, not be locked in at all. And again, I just think it's weird if they win it this year or they win it next year. And it's like, hold on. We have like a million carat diamond, like how much, those rings are,

each ring, how much each ring was? Oh, I mean, it's gotta be like, 10 grand maybe, something like that, I don't know.

They were pretty ridiculous. They were absurd. So like, it's just like, there's no way that ring's gonna carry any weight, if they win in the next two years. I have no idea by the way, I'm not good at guessing.

No. I'm like, you idiot. They're probably more than 10 grand. I have no idea but those were gaudy yes gaudy ring so gaudy again it's fine

it was a lot yeah it's not fine I don't think it's fine I think it's dumb don't do it when you lose that's how I feel and again if they win in the next couple years it's gonna be like well what the hell did we have did Do we have these? Did Kingery and Will Toffee really need a ring?

Wow. I mean, that's the whole Adam Eaton, Carl Lowry. I mean, it is really dumb that if you play one game for the team, you get a ring. That's part of being a family. It's so dumb. It's so dumb. Like, that is just dumb.

I'm sorry. Okay. I feel very strongly about that. Nice. I mean, Joe Girardi. Like, Joe Girardi gets a ring. First off, should have been there. Yeah, well, I think Joe knew better.

Should have been there. He's like, it's not going to go up. Should have been. Come on, man. Joe's got a World Series ring. He's probably like, I don't need that. You know, let me sell it. What can I get for it?

Like, come on. Especially for the guys who are like, Kyle Schwarber. You think he's like, oh, sweet, my loser ring. I could put it. What can I get for it? Come on. Especially for the guys who are like, Kyle Schwarber. You think he's like, oh, sweet, my loser ring. I can put it next to my World Series winning ring. That's just so lame. I'm just saying, it would have been a moment yesterday. At the end, they just bring out Hoskins and cause a meltdown.

And one more, Joe Jordan. Joe Jordan. Come on, man. It would have been great. It would have been hilarious. It would have been hilarious. He probably would have got some claps. He would have got. It would have been great. It would have been hilarious. It would have been hilarious. He probably would have got some claps. He would have got.

It would have been mixed. It would have been mixed. It would have been hilarious, though. And one more. One more time, Joe. Joe Girardi. All right, Marlins. Oh, yes.

So, Sandy Alcantara versus Matt Strom tonight. Or Strom tonight to start it off. And Nick Maton's not walking through that door. Dude, I know. I said that on the radio. Like, you know, everyone's like, oh, we hit Alcantara well. I off. And Nick Maton's not walking through that door. Dude, I know. I said that on the radio. Everyone's like, oh, we hit Alcantara well. I'm like, Nick Maton did. Nick Maton did real well.

Now, I will say, they beat Alcantara like three times last year. He was wild, yes. And one of the ones they lost to him, they were winning, and the Marlins ended up walking off late, but another to Alcantara. Well, and it's not like they own Alcantara. He was dominant in every one of those games. They scored in the eighth and ninth. And Mayton took him yard.

Not confident about beating up on Sandy tonight. Well, at least they only have Jesus Lizardo after him. And who's pitching Wednesday? Who's this? Cabrera, Rodgers, or who's their third dude? Or fifth dude? It probably's this? Cabrera, Rogers, or who's their third dude or fifth dude? It probably won't be Cabrera because he-

He just pitched, I think, and he struggled. Yeah, he walked like five. Yeah. We have- Oh, it is Edward Cabrera. It is Cabrera. So Wheeler versus Cabrera. That's good.

That's a nice matchup for you. I'm sure Cabrera will shut us down. I don't know. This Wheeler versus Cabrera. That's good. That's a nice matchup for you. I'm sure Cabrera will shut us down. I don't know. This stuff's all over the place. Yeah. Stuff's nasty, but it's all over the place. So again, they have gone. Well, they dodged Ashcraft yesterday.

Yeah, I got lucky. He's pitching today. They lost. Of course, they beat Lodolo and Green and win that. Yeah, of course. Yeah. And now they face. And they'll beat Sandy and Jesus and lose to Cabrera, right?

That's what they do. I'd take it. Of course we'd take it. Two or three. Two or three. Two or three. We are in the mindset for the next five series. Yeah, two or three.

Just start winning some freaking games. Get back to 500. And stop making stupid mistakes on the bases, please. All right, you got any final thoughts? No. I don't either. I did have one. I was thinking of one before.

We have 640 starts this week, by the way. Buddy, let me tell you, couldn't be happier about that. Couldn't be happier about that. The earlier, the better, as far as I'm concerned these days. All right, I had a final thought, but I forget what it was. Yeah, you're dumb today. I'm so dumb today. But, you know, hopefully less dumb than –

I'm less dumb than the Phillies base running. Hopefully that changes. Yeah, there it is. Good turnaround. You're not that dumb. All right. We'll be back later in the week, hopefully after a bunch of Phillies wins. He's first up.

We'll be you next time.