High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The City Of Pittsburgh Should Be Ashamed

Episode Date: May 18, 2026

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies' sweep of the Pirates and look ahead at their playoff chances now that they're back over .500. The guys also go in-depth on Aaron Nola's struggles, Zack Wheeler out-dueling Paul Skenes and Bryce Harper's continued success. Presented by Miller Lite.To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com

This is the High Hope's podcast. Hi Hope's. On the Odyssey app and Sports Radio 94 WIP. The crowd is singing high, smiling through a little less alone. Yo. The condition of the High Ops podcast, sponsored by Miller Light,

official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies. Taste like Miller time Philadelphia. Celebrate responsibly. Celebrate being over 500, Princey. How about it? Dude, I can't. It's so exciting to actually do a real yo.

Like an exciting go. The first time all year, maybe since opening freaking day, we got to do a real yo. We have a baseball team, man. What up the best series of the season? Friday, maybe the best like game of the season. Then we just get like, what, 16 sterling innings from our two aces. What a weekend, dude? The stars look like stars.

Alec Bohm is not sucking all of a sudden. How about it, dude? What a thrill. Summer's on. We got a ball season. We got a ball season. And we didn't talk about the Red Sox series. I know.

You're right. Which is a total bummer because that was three tight games. It was. We were supposed to hang out with everyone for one. We apologize, guys. It was not our call to cancel it. It was another call,

but we will be making it up. We'll be telling you about that soon. Once again, the weather people make a huge deal. It's always Boston's fault. It's always boss. I know. So with all you worry,

we've got a busy June. Oh, yeah. We got some stuff to tell you about. We've got events coming. We'll get it all together and we'll tell you how about it's going to be awesome. So a lot of stuff. But yeah, no. Friday night was the win of the season.

And impressive, too, not for nothing. I mean, playing up in Boston the night before. Yeah, they're going to Pittsburgh. Yeah. Got delayed by 20 minutes. That's not like the longest rain delay in the world.

They always lose that game, especially going down. Like, what was it? Six nothing at first. Like, like, they always lose that game. They don't show.

I honestly, I'm surprised I put up any run as much less fought back in the game. But then you know what happened is that Donnie baseball went out to the mound. And he said, we're not losing. And the boy said, you know what, Donnie? You're right. And LeBron Harper said, I had the same notion, which I appreciate it. And you know what was actually nice about that?

I'm mostly pro, like letting the guy go out there and eatings and when he gets sheled. But he got Nola out of there. Yeah, like four. Yeah. And he gave them time to come back and really make that a game. And then, yeah, late was just amazing. It was unbelievable. It was so hard.

I mean, I thought it was gone. I did. I think we all probably did in the moment. Price probably didn't do. But I mean, that moment. And it was especially fun because I don't know if ever remembers, but one week prior on Friday, they were down six nothing and then seven to the Rockies fought back,

lost in extras. And it was like, I was like, I said to Emily, I'm like, if this is like a repeat last Friday, I'm going to be so annoyed right now that we sat here and watched his comeback. And they finished it off.

So, and it was just the way they did it. Obviously, I mean, Kyle Schwerber, dude, I mean, the thing about Schwerver,

first of all, let's see on pace for like 70 right now or something like that. 20 homers and 45 games, the eighth person in baseball history to ever do that. But it's not,

that the thing that I've always loved about, we've talked this a million times with Schwerber, but it feels like so few of his home runs are like meaningless. It feels like he hits so many big job. Boston. We do have that, that homer in the eighth. Like,

it feels like, feels like this dude, like not only does he just hit a ton of homers, but he hits so many big homers and big spots. Well, he either gets the party started. Yes, exactly. It's one of the other. You're right. Or he adds on and kind of puts it out of reach.

And then sometimes, like, he, he hasn't had a ton of late inning ones. That's what made the Boston one so great. He had one against a dime back this year, I want to say, in like the seventh inning. But he's usually like the party starter. You know what I mean? But he does not have the, he's not the, uh, they actually can't. came back in the game that he hit one that was like when they were up or down seven to yeah he made eight five or i think it was i think it was eight two and he made eight five yeah yeah yeah yeah so he is

dude he's just a man and and the one off of the one off mason montgomery on i mean that's a a lefty that throws 96 to a hundred i don't he's not allowed a home run to a lefty all year and schwarber i mean that it's like didn't even get off the ground it was a line drive to the It's bullpen. He is, like, we've, we've talked a lot about his, like, late career resurgence. And I know he's not having the average that this guy had, but he's Poppy. He is, he is, he is, he is, he is, he is, he is, he is, he is, he is, he is, he is, he is, he is, he is, like, that, that's the, like, if he keeps, like, he's, well. I mean, he's going to get to, I think he's going to get to 500.

Like, I think, I think 600 is, like, you know, LOC, okay, pretty much. dude like it is it is a wild thing it's rare to see guys like elevate like this from like 30 forward you know not during the 90s that's right me yeah outside the steroid for yeah for yeah for real though you know no it's it's it's it's crazy and i think i mean he's gonna he's gonna get to five hundred barring something like catastrophic and the nice part about him is he feels like he has gotten into such a groove as a hitter. I think he's found who he is. I think he found,

has found what works for him. His hands are so fast. Insane. Some of the fasts I've ever seen. It's like Shafield, him. Like, you can go down the list.

But he has some of the past things I've ever seen much. Fast, strong. And he also, I think he's just settled into, I think he's stopped worrying about, I got to be an average guy. I got to not strike out.

I think he's very comfortable, strictly looking to launch. Which is what they need from him. Yeah. Well, of course. They're devoid of power. Exactly. In most instances.

So, you know, you watch him and it's, it's, it's, it's, very true outcome, in a way. But the, the impact he has, like, it was so funny. I was sitting there on, I think Saturday after the game was over. And him and Trey had the same batting average. And he want to talk about. My head, light years apart. A difference of one at 300 points OPS is. higher.

His like slugging is like almost the same as Turner's OPS overall. It probably is close. It's close at least. Yeah. Which is a good state. It's unbelievable. But you know,

it's just like it throws a whole fly in the ointment of the average thing. And it really makes you feel, you know, the impact someone has with the 230 something batting average. It's like Schwerber is the best example of the kind of impact that they can have. So yeah, he is a, he's a godsend.

he is truly a godson having Kyle Schwabber on this baseball. I mean, to be lost with that. I mean, he's so incredibly important. And look, I, you know, we do the whole thing every year where it's like, well, if the big guys don't hit and then we'll do that. Well, we need everyone else to hit too. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwerber are doing everything they can to lift this. I mean, Harper, dude, I mean, he has been unreal, man. And the clock, talk about clutch too.

Has he been easily? He's been super lead. I think he's like 14th in the league in OPS or something like that. He said so many big hits. He's playing great first base. He's 11th in Wobah, 11th and way of talking about, man. 33 years old, Bryce Harper, dude. Yeah, well, remember the fear mongering that one podcast host did about him against fastballs?

Well, he, no, I don't remember that. That didn't happen. Well, he took Bubba Chandler was 97. He took over center field on Saturday. I mean, that 457. That was, you don't see balls hit to that part of the field that often that far. Oh, it's a tank shot. And my favorite part about that one is, if you, like, slowed it down or you went to the replay, Harper's like mid-spit.

So he, like, hits it and goes, that's great. It's like, hell yet. Now, back in the 90s, that's a bunch of juice in there. Of course, it is. Yeah. Or a tobacco spit. It's like, you know, but he gave one of those. I was like, yeah, that's my guy.

That's awesome. Yeah, he's got a little cocky. And then skeinsie, dude, like 95 off schemes. Can you believe they, they worked at bats against schemes? I mean, that was. And, and, for. For those who weren't paying attention prior, you know, after that opening day, Skeens has been lights out.

Like he got his ER back under two. Now it's back above. But he had gotten it from that, you know, six runs, one out or whatever it was, that opening day to back under two. And the Phillies are the first team since opening day essentially to really get to him. Like it was how shocking was that. Yeah. I think it's either his third or his fifth start in his entire career where he's a lot of five earned,

which is so it shows out how amazing is. Well, because I don't know if you, did you see the tweet last week of, it was, it was basically saying that we need to study Paul Schemes' downfall because by ERA, his first year is 1.96, the second year is 1.97. And this year is 1.98. So he's getting worse every year, technically. So it was probably the most for as great as Friday night was. And I, I guess I'm, I guess watching the Pirates bullpen. I feel like all those guys have stuff. So I'm surprised. how bad they've been. Me too. Yeah. Thank you for Chase Sugar. Who they got from the Pirates.

Could use them, yeah. But for his great as Friday was, like, we've seen them come back, you know. They've come back in games and almost won them. They came back against Boston. You mentioned the Friday against the Rockies, which they should have won. But Brad Keller comes out to imagine dragons.

So, so, but what made, what made yesterday, I think, actually the most impressive one of the season, I have never seen them have a plan at a plate, I feel like. That's what I mean. It was unbelievable. It was crazy. And it was so, it was like,

Mattingly talked about it after and I was like, what? You guys had a plan? I know. Executed it? What? It's like they signed a room. And they said, all right.

How do we attack this guy? So what? So here's Paul Skeens. He tries to get you to chase on all speed out of the zone. Don't do it. All right. Attack the fastball. When it's in the zone, you swing at it.

But if you see spin, spit on it. Mm-hmm. Miracle. Wow. Miracle. What a time. time. It was, it was a jarring experience. It was. It didn't look like the team that we know. It just didn't. This ball club? This, this is not, that's not my Phillies. It's not my Phillies. So,

Beck, you want to talk about some overreactions? I know, right? If that doesn't give you hope for the playoffs, I don't know what well. Honestly, though, it does. Like, and again, we're way far away. And I, I still need to see it in the playoffs to like truly in my soul believe it's going to happen. But I am, I'm so much more optimistic about this group than I was, you know, obviously, you know, month ago, but like really even a week ago. Like I just, it feels real. If it like again,

that for regular season wise, they feel back. Like I do not expect them like, they'll lose a few games or whatever this. But I expect them to be in this chase now. I expect that like I think what we see now is the like they're not going to go 15 and four each 19 games. But I think there's the level of play we should expect.

Well, a week ago, and even like everything beat the Rockies. I would say like last podcast, right, Monday. I still was in the mindset of, yeah like they haven't they didn't played anyone that great signs of life they started playing better at home

but it didn't feel totally real this week has kind of changed it from that from that mindset you know you see what sanchise and wheeler do you mentioned it 16 innings and look and really look the part looked it and they looked it felt like they were big it felt like after every out there staring at ball skeins and they were like we're also definitely there was no doubt he he went into that saying all right kid you know i'm still the old dog yeah for real now here's my question i was going to say this for the take back but it's an important time to bring this up do you think he is intentionally for a start like yesterday against paul skeins is he intentionally growing out the gray and letting it show more so he can like really hammer home the point of like i'm still i'm still i still

got it i wouldn't put it past there was a lot of gray yesterday there was all of a sudden the Phillies are looking gray i know we've talked a lot about the gray we've talked a lot about the gray no, he thankfully still looks the part. There's a lot of gray in Wheeler's beer yesterday. Yeah. It doesn't affect him though either, you know? And I think he's growing out of the show skiing.

I can see that. Yeah. Yeah. You're going to lose this old man. And shame on the city of Pittsburgh for for giving scheme to standing ill after leaving that game. Oh, it was so late. Come on.

Come on. I get that you haven't had any stars in baseball at a long time. Yeah. What do you get it every time? Yeah. Oh, thank you. He can't leave yet. He's not a Yankee yet.

He got Skeensy for what? Three more years. after this year. Maybe we'll say. They could trade them. Yeah, they could trade him. I had two years after this year. I don't know.

The Bob Nuttings is paying Connor. Yeah, it's a miracle. I know. And the Paul Schen's quote before the year when he was like, he's going to be the face of the buyer for a long time. Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Great.

I'm sure. I'm sure the fans felt during that one. But it was for a city that I view as a tough, a tough town. It was a disappointing scene by the city. I agree with you. Yeah. It was something. But this, you see what, you see what Sanchez and Wheeler do.

And you do start dreaming of, you know, a playoff series and having to face, having to throw those guys out there in a wildcard round is, because I don't think they're winning the decision. But. I agree. How they just keep winning. They gained like,

Phillies went 15 and four since my own and they can. They've gained like a game and a half or whatever. It's nuts. It's really a joke. Yeah. It's really a joke. It's like, it goes down.

It's like, no problem. We're still going to put up like nine runs every game. Just like boom. Yeah. The devil magic braves. It's crazy. Everything's back.

Yeah, it is. So yeah. So you have those two like starting a playoffs series. you feel good, but I heard you guys say this on the air. I would still start Wheeler in game one. So I, I personally, if it were me, I probably would too. He was just asking what do you think? I think they could split up the lefties.

They could. Yeah, but I agree. I think Wheeler deserves it. He's earned it. He's Zach Wheeler. Like, I agree. It was just to split up the left. I do like that we can talk about game one.

How cool is that? Thinking about that. It's thrilling. Hopefully it's a little home game. They can hear Roost before a playoff game again. Oh, ah. Things that make you weep. things that make you weep.

So you have those two. Like that's real. Nola is definitely a huge concern. It's a problem. Seeing the ball leave his hands and it's been a while since and it just, it just die as it approaches the plate and basically saying, please hit me. Like that,

the Nola thing, I cannot believe we had four years left. Oh, dude, I know. Four years left. After this. Four plus the rest of the season. It's, I can't,

it can't end soon enough. It's such a. disastrous contract. It's so bad. We, I text you do this on Friday. Yeah. Me and you. Yeah. Very positive people. We are. You know, for my general demeanor to be as positive as I am, I don't know if it checks out. But when they sign people, we're usually like, hell yeah. We're in, dude. We get excited. Max Kepler was Zach Bonn. Yep. That's, that's the podcast. I remember. Yeah. So we can talk ourselves and adjust about anything. The two that we were like, This is so true, by the way.

I think we're Taiwan and... No doubt. No doubt. Get in Taiwan. 4.72. I don't know about that. Especially I remember you being like, especially because there were other guys, and not that they've all worked out, but like Tyon, there were a bunch of guys that round the same level

in that free agency class. And I remember Taiwan was like the last one you wanted of those guys. We're like, he's my least favorite of this group of guys. Well, because I think Eflin got 50 some million that year. I didn't even 40, I think. You mean 48. So it was Eflin. It was Sengah. It was Ta-on.

Tyon and Taiwan. Yep. And it was like, you know, and Sanga's been horrible. Yeah, but when healthy, he's great. You just can't say healthy. Yeah. But, but yeah. So, and then the Nola thing is a real, a real issue.

Lazzardo is just like, we might have to accept that this with what his year's going to be. He's going to have flashes of brilliance and then six and four innings. And I do think, and again, there's not a ton of of evidence for this, but it does feel, obviously the playoffs last year, the prime example. It feels like Lizarro has a big game feel. He does. You know what I mean? I do kind of trust him in a big spot so far.

We'll see. And we've seen that he can still do it. The Nola thing is on. And look, Painter is what he is. And I will get to start in Boston because he, you know, was better.

But the Nola thing, like, let's play this out a bit. Joe was talking about this in the air today being saying like at what point do you think they will, you know, take him out of the rotation. And I was like,

I don't think they will. Never. You know, like, I mean, he can get hurt. It's about it. So like what,

how does this play out? Forget this. the future. The four years after are what they are will figure out. But for the rest of the season, like is it just as, as simple as no matter how he pitches, this dude just takes the ball every fifth day and then doesn't pitch in the playoffs.

Like is that as simple as that or? Well, so what I find what could be different here is the magnally effect. Because I feel like Thompson would just say, Noel's going to figure it out. Oh, he's knows. That's Noles. And they started.

It was by design, but they started Nolan a playoff game last year. And then he was this last year as well. Well, so I mean, I guess I could see a phantom I L. That would be the only way I would think about it. Yeah, but they're not going to like bench him, you know, or like put him in the bullpen, you know, or send to ask him to the miners. Like, that's not going to happen. No, no.

I mean, the closest was like Myers. Yeah, Myers. And even that Myers was not as established nor making close to the type of money. Yeah. So and the other issue is there's not really a guy ready. Well, that's a problem. All the guys are young. It's like Gage and Fisher and all these guys who are lower who are nowhere, who are nowhere close.

Ramon Marquez. Yeah, whatever. But the point is like, you don't have any. That's why I was saying the shot. Say injury hurt them. Like, because at least he was like closer, you know?

Yeah. Now, he did sign like Jackson Rutledge and maybe they think they could find something there. He hasn't allowed to run in an inning in a third. So, so watch out. Yeah,

excited. But like Ron Hell has gone down and been bad. Cusick hasn't done anything. None of the starters are really, I mean, they probably, I mean, Chuck King's actually probably been their best starter,

which is shocking because I still think he's a reliever. So, yeah, I know the Iron Pigs currently do not have a someone who is like, okay, you can bring him up. They let Trevor Richards go. So Trevor Richards can't. Tom Gillespie, I think is hurt. Gillespie probably would have been the one, but he's hurt. So, no. They could trade for a starter.

At the deadline, I heard you guys talk about that. Yeah, they could. It's not priority number one. I don't think so it is either, but we do know that Dumbowski always is looking at that. But if Painter and Nola and Painter, is going to have. I think you expect with Painter that up and the down. And he looked good in Boston.

He looks good in Boston. I'm curious how to night goes. You know, if they. So were you all right with Mattingly taking him out so quick? Me too. Dude, I was so surprised.

I was like, this kid threw five one running. Like, let's get him. Like, I think him leaving and feeling good about it is more important than winning that game. You know what I mean?

Well, was that. And he's about to face like, Willier Brayhew for the third time. And Willier Brayhew, who I think, for my money, he's like, well, he's one of the most underrated players of baseball.

I think he's awesome. Like I cannot believe the Red Sox were talking about trading him in the off season to like free up one of their spots. That guy's, he's amazing. And he had a combined like 300 miles an hour, exit velocity off of Andrew Painter that night. So yeah, it was third time through. You get him out there at the win. Your bullpen's in a good spot. Like, easy.

That's an easy decision. I felt similar. Yeah. I mean, they probably learn that. They probably learn from their mistake in a, Atlanta when he went out there in the sixth and that's when the Harris hit happened. So yeah, you take the five innings. Now, what's interesting with him, I wonder if he's able to execute it tonight.

I think he threw 24% four seamers in his last start, which is down from 38% on the year average. So they clearly were trying, they've been trying to hide the fast. And I think a lot of it comes down to painter, not things. I think, I don't, I wonder if he's a little stubborn about it because he believes that. Yeah, it's been his best pitch his whole life. it's probably hard to get off that, you know, yeah. So part of it is like, hey, bud.

It isn't anymore. It is. Look at it. You got to use something else. And he barely threw it to Ritey's, which is interesting. So they have, it is good. That Gotham listens to the podcast because we've talked a lot of, like it's just nauseam about it makes it better.

You know, it makes it easier. Like sinkers in, sinkers into the Riteys. He actually does pretty well the foreseamer against lefties because he can get it in on their hands. And then sweepers to Ritey, sliders to, righties. I thought it's like I was I was intrigued by his he got a slider up to 90 a couple times in the in that fourth inning or fifth inning which is a really good development like he can throw that pitch hard and then the sweeper off of it but it's on the same plane like that's

tough for a hitter to see and that's where he strikeouts started racking up so if you can go sweeper slider sweeper slider sinkers to righties and then four seamer and split to lefties I mean that can be a plan of attack for Andrew Panter so we'll see if we get executed tonight that is the one intriguing part by Painter as a young pitcher, he can command five pitches. So that is, well, he can throw five pitches. He can throw five pitches. Command is still the moment working on. But it was a good start in Boston.

I want to see if he can do it for two straight starts. But yeah, like getting back to the overall point, starting pitching, we'll see what Painter Nola look like around the deadline. But besides another right field, probably the pressure point, I don't think. Bome's going. I'd be surprised if they made a move for a third baseman. Right, especially at this point. Yeah. Like Matt Chapman, when I saw the report of them possibly trading, and I was like, there's the obvious. Dombrowski. Let's go get Matt Chapman. Who has not played well? No, ever since he told Casey Schmidt to catch the ball.

You're right. Yeah. Yeah. He's been horrendous. And Casey Schmidt's been amazing. I think since. And boom, 406. Well, so that's what I was going to say. Let's get to Bome. And stop, really. Both those guys have really picked it up, certainly over the last week. and a couple weeks for Stott. Whole air percentage. Not about it. Where are you at with those guys? Like how real?

Because the boom here, Elliot, our buddy Elliot sent us a tweet that you put out. Yeah. We weren't in a... Since the two-day reset, Alec Bohm is hitting 406 with a 688 slug in a 1,102 OPS, 1112 OPS. Yeah.

Yeah. I definitely wasn't in a meeting tweeting that. No. Yes. We're definitely more busy. No. So, yeah, I mean, like, Bone was never going to hit 160. Of course.

You know what I mean? So I'm glad that there's some signs of life here. Actually, the, the double off schemes is really impressive of it, like, you know, going the opposite way and actually driving it. He is making a more conscious effort to drive it. We'll say. I still would love to know how many of his outs have been to the shortstop. Yeah. And I'm so with you.

The percentage of outs. He rolls over so many times. It's unbelievable. Man. And the double play on. It's a Friday. Vintage. I mean, just typical from him.

So, you know, he's not as bad as he was. He's not that good. So he's just, he's getting back to being boom, I guess. Exactly, yeah. And he's going to be the cleanup. It's a nice defensive place.

Yeah, he was a little late on the. The one, the one that went by him was, that was tough. Well, and the double clutch on Griffin. And the double clutch.

Yeah. No, but he's fine defensively. He's from where he was. Better than I ever thought he'd be. Oh, 100%. 100%. 100%. And then Stodder.

Go on, man. Stop, man. He just is hitting the ball harder. Like, and obviously the number is, but it's so clear to the eye test that he's just hitting the ball harder. No,

he is. He is. Now, I do think it has sacrificed some of his, like, natural bat's a ball. Yeah, but the,

yeah, he is like just trying to launch, which I can't be someone that's been anti, you know, I need, I need them to try to launch. It wasn't working the other way.

Like, you know, why not? Sure. So I feel pretty good about that. I guess I just feel, I feel, I think they're both settling into the season. I'm not going to say like they're going to go on a run and turn to what Marsh is doing. Because like Marsh, I believe a lot in.

Me too. And he, that hit on Friday was amazing. It was awesome, huge. Like the only game was a game winning hit essentially. The offense is finding its footing. I thought Trey yesterday, I tweeted about it. I thought it was nice. He was like seeing the ball late and like really making shit.

I thought his head was down, like trying to go the opposite way and hit bleep hard, as Bryce says. You know, I thought that was that was. at least encouraging and maybe pulling himself out of whatever his early season slump. But, you know, Adolese, like, struggling. And all of a sudden, JT's down at 220. Dude, JT's, is OBS is under 600 now.

Because he was, when he got pro the I. He had like a 400 OBS when he got to put on the I. When he got put on the I off. OBB, I thought he was hitting like 270. Yeah, and he had 400 OBB. Yeah. Now, he did get a good hit yesterday, which is good to say. But I, all of a sudden, him being down there. So, like, it feels like the offense is kind of

finding its footing. And they did it against them. Now, they didn't smoke the ball in Boston. They kind of just did enough. And that's a really good staff. Yeah.

Oh, really good. Like the Red Sox, I saw some staff this morning. The Red Sox could average four and a half runs per game. They'd be 32 and 14. That is unbelievable.

So we watch the Phillies offense when we want to rip our hair. Yeah, you're right. Now it's a good point. But it feels like they're finding their footing. And this weekend against that Pirates team, I thought was impressive. I mean, that was the best series of the season for them.

Like Chandler, I like, I think he's got a, he's got to develop a little more. He's got stuff, though. But he's got, I've seen the feelings get shut down by guys of stuff.

Especially you guys they don't see, you know, like a guy they haven't seen before. It's like a disaster for them, you know? And Ashcraft, I like a lot. Yeah,

he was good. Yeah. Ashcraft. He deserved the ovation that he got when he left the field. Unlike that fraud. It's for real, though, yeah.

Well, Skeens is just so surprised. He's still pitching in the assistant. I know. God. This is how young race is going to be crazy. Yeah. Sanchi's in it.

Sanji's in it. Of course he's in it. It's probably the favorite actually right now. Skeen's still the favorite, which is propaganda. That's nonsense. Ridiculous. Yeah. You've got two starts at five plus earn.

It's also 1.82. 8, man. I know. Atani's got a 0.84. Yeah. I know. Tony has been insane. Yeah, he's just like Will.

Yeah. He's the sides one year. I'm going to win the side young. I know. No, seriously. Like, I mean, look, the year he didn't pitch you, but 50-50 for Christ. Yeah. And have you seen him hit this year?

Yeah. It's not as good as the pitching. I'm just, here's a PSA. the baseball voters out there. He doesn't deserve MVP this year. Like, do not give Otani the MVP this year. If he's going to have a... It's early still.

If he's going to have a 700 OPAs... I agree. He's got to be a much better. Let him win Sy Young. Like, give him the Syong. Yeah. He doesn't need... Every year, we don't need to do this.

We don't need to do the Otani MVP. He's clearly the best player. We get it. You know, like, every year automatically, yes. He is automatically the most valuable player every year. Like, we get it. Like, yeah. You know what?

Let's move on. Give Schwabs and Harper a chance. That's what I'm saying. Um, All right, one more thing. Then I want to take back, because you mentioned Turner. And this is a super small thing,

but I've noticed it. And having a back-to-back nights in Boston, ninth inning, I think it was ninth both, but challenge two balls that were like clearly strikes. Like so obviously strikes. And it feels like he is like,

it feels like he is, of all the guys, the one who's like, screw that. Like, we'll be like, no, you know, and like,

I know there's a really little thing, but it was back-to-back nights in late game situations and it was like clearly strikes. He's like, nope. Does that kind of stuff concern you at all? And do you think players get annoyed with guys in those situations? Because I would. Well, I think if a guy challenges the ball in the first inning, he better be.

Damn right. I know the ninth. It's better because it's, you know, you don't think you know, whatever. But the one, it's funny you mention that because I've noticed it with Crawford too. Crawford's horrible early in the season, like really bad with it. And it feels like they talked to them and they were like, hey, buddy, you can't be the one. That is using these. So I almost think they're doing it with the stars.

Like you can do it when you want. Yeah. And yeah, I mean, there's a concern. It's not real. I'm more just, it was just notable. You know what I mean? And he's,

he seems like one that, well, he feels like someone who presses a lot. That's my point. That's what I was trying to say. It feels like he's like part of the whole like him just being in his head. You know what I mean? Yeah.

He is, he's tight. He really gets in his head, man. It's wild. What's nice, though, is it has not translated defensively. No,

he's been good again. Yeah, no, you're right. I mean, the play, he had two game saving plays in that third game. I'm in Boston. I mean, that was huge. Like, those were awesome players. Well, I like the one where he's running out the left field. And he's just begging Felix Reyes.

I know. He's like, dude. Please stop running. Yeah, out of my way. Yeah. So defensively, I think he's still done the part. I do love the, I do love him with the backhand thing on just a routine ground ball.

Oh, I know. It's so funny. It's so different than how everyone's been taught. Uh-huh. It's so weird. Yeah. He is, he is the, he does. the prettiest like pirouette like spin and pirouette like whenever he does that it always looks

the bubble after yeah he's just it's good it looks so good smooth cat too like his swing is beautiful like you don't normally think about right-handed guys having a pretty swing it's always the lefties you know he has a really pretty swing for right-hand it's just figure it out hit the ball hit the freaking ball it's our lead off editor it's got like a 640 ops yeah it's not great and 280 something he's making a lot of money. Well, we always signed for his defense. Yeah, exactly. So that's why he's here. It's good. That's why he's here. All right.

Let's take back. All right. All right. What do we got? What do we got? So Preston is over in Japan. And they're scouting. The third base kid? Yeah. Yeah. Sato. That's how you said. I believe so. I may have just heard of them. I may have just heard of them two days ago.

I need them. You never want anyone more in your life. He is. He might single-handedly save the whistle. I mean, he's 27. He plays a dynamite third base. He's another lefty. Unbelievable, right?

Yeah, of course. You get him, trade for Devers. Let's just go all the lefties. Well, again, what has happened to the right-handed hitter in baseball? It's so strange. There's no good right-handed hitters in baseball. Bobby Whit, like, there aren't many. There's just a judgey.

Yeah, judge, of course. But, like, they're, you know. All the good hitters are lefty. Yeah. All the good prospects are left-hasing. actually, you're right. It's annoying. Yeah.

We need the, we need the, we need to say. Julio, Julio, there's just not many. Tatis is not going to hit a home run this year, allegedly. Unbelievable. Alonzo. Like, there's a couple. Mani, Machado. Like, there's some dudes, but yeah.

No, I know. I wouldn't take cook, but you know what I mean. Yeah, he's not. It's just, there's a, you're right. There's not enough. Because I keep looking at trade candidates. And it's like, great. We're back to Taylor.

We're back to Joe Adele. We're back to Jorge Saler. You know, it's a good. What is old as new. I could do Horace O'Lear here, though. In the middle of second. The problem is he'd have to play the field, which I don't know.

Yeah, he's played seven games in the right field. I mean, you'd stick him there. I mean, I'd rather of him than the Dolis offense. He's only got eight homers this year, O'Reis O'Reillare. Yeah, but he's one of those guys. Yeah, and he's one of those guys can go to tear. So, I actually think the guy that I'm most in on trading for

it, now they'd have to stay out of it is, well, listen, obviously, I want Buckson. If he's available, I want trout, always. Always. And if Tatis is available. Add that child contract. Let's do it. Why not? Why not? And then Tatis, if the Padres need to shed money. Another big

contract. Let's take another big contract. Although Tatis post-PEDs is obviously not been the same guy. The guy I think that could realistically make sense. I believe I want the most at this point is Randy. So I was going to mention him, but I didn't know if he would be like available. I would love Randy. They're like 21 and 26. Yeah, but that whole division

is. I mean, the A's are in first place at like 23 and 23 or whatever. I love the. Me too. Love that team. So fun. Love that team. So yeah, they might not sell him. Right. But you know, I wanted him. Randy's fully in. He was in my off season.

He was in my perfect deadline last year. Like fully in. I feel like you're about to say he's in my wedding. Yeah. I would have taken him. Now, Randy would have been when I got married. So what's he like 32 now? So Randy would have been 20.

No, I'm sorry. He would have been like 17 years old when I'm married. So yeah. It's your 15 year anniversary. Which I definitely knew. Yeah, he just not before the wedding. I'm not before the meeting we were in. We'll be doing something on my,

I won't be hanging out of my wife. That's her show. How romantic. Yeah. But he's hitting 306 with a 389 OEP this year and four homers. And just another guy who's had huge moments. Yeah. Only at 188 in the postseason last year, but don't care.

Don't care. So Randy, Randy's one that kind of makes sense. Kind of good field or two, the whole thing. He'd be great tough. Now it would be tough because he's best friends with the Dolies. So. Yeah, I know.

I forgot about. that you're right. I feel a little weird. Yeah, a little weird. But, and he's only on one year deal like he's done it for this year. So he's a free agent. So it's a contract year, Randy. I like it. Anyway, but this kid, like great defensive third baseman. I saw him hit a ball 117 miles an hour. Hey, buddy. He's, uh, he looks.

He looks sick. And they need young talent, obviously, to come through. He's 27. They did with Bichette last year. Bohn has a higher OPS than Bichette, which is crazy. Amazing. Which is crazy. Did you see the Saturday, the Mets, uh, the, like, the, the, like, dropping the ball. Oh my God, that was unbelievable.

It reminded me of the, remember the Luis Cascio one? Yes, that's exactly what it was like, yeah. No, that was a pop right off the glove. I know,

yeah, what a, you rarely see, you'll see you guys miss it. You rarely see it pop off the glove and just take off the other way. Yeah, that was nuts.

Yeah, bullet dodged. Yeah, I like that. Did you, I didn't like Sanchez going back out for the ninth. Yeah, like I,

I'm okay with it. It was so unnecessary. you're up six nothing you know it like it just didn't feel necessary i i get it 16th yeah it's just unnecessary i like i guarantee sandy's not going to look good the next start that's what's going to happen we'll say i just yeah it felt it felt you know dusty waffin just sitting there saying this is easy just had my starter go seven i go nine yeah it is like especially when you're filling in it's like wouldn't you be like extra get him out get him out see dusty making history no it's uh oh i think it was the fifth uh he became the fifth uh man

manager father or father son combo to manage interesting yeah interesting uh for your planning purposes out there reading game june 20 yeah buddy yeah we're gonna go see let's go and it won't be cold and rainy like last year and and and june 10th just save that date yeah we're giving you some info on it but june 10th is a day yes but june 20 if we are going to get to go to redding we'll get you the landing page for all that so you can get tickets we can all stand we can all sit together, stand together. It's going to be great. Yeah. And, you know,

Norrie will still be there. Brian Rincon will still be there. Arun will still be there. I don't know what the pitching staff will see. Well, I don't know. Maybe Mavis Graves will be up there by that point. Mavis Graves, as we shift into the minor league, there we go.

Yeah, everyone's been waiting for. So Mavis Graves is pitching very, very well for Jersey. It's a great name. Like a home run name. I do still view this as him pitching as well, or pitching well enough to be included in a trade. Sure. Which is important.

He reminds me of like J-Hap. It's not going to overwhelm you. It's not like, he's not throwing 98, you know, from the left side. He's just a crafty, good, majorly. Love a crafty, love to. Yeah, so he's pitching very well for Jersey Shore

and kind of, you know, going off of what a lot of people felt like this offseason. He was going to have a good year. So Mavis Graves, I think pitching is well enough to put himself in a trade, to where hopefully they don't have to trade someone. Legit, legit. Legit, legit. One guy who is turning into legit, legit, is Ramon Marquez, who, for my money, is the second best pitching prospect in the org.

Wow. After gauge? After gauge. Wow. After gauge. And Painters obviously graduated. Yeah, yeah. So it's not, they don't have many great pitcher prospects. Oh, yeah. It's not like, yeah. The Mariners where they have, where they have Kate Anderson and Ryan Sloan to go on top. And just brought up cold em. I know not a pitcher, but brought up cold Emerson. Yeah. It's like, nobody. Yeah. So, no, but this kid is not a lot of run yet. He pitched

five scoreless over the weekend struck out nine yeah buddy he has a airbender devon williams change up i am begging nbrowski not to trade him but it feels like they're gonna have to make a big move he's like uh yeah he's the one they would put it put in before before a gauge he's sick man he's sick so uh he's like up to 97 now or he's like 93 last year he's got a little cutter so we're all in a remote marquez love it burkelder at another good week now a struggle last night went one for five really cap off what really was a great week for Griff. Like, like,

he's freaking awesome. I still think he's the second best hitting prospect in New York. I'm so happy. He's, he's got to stay healthy. I don't know if he's ever really going to stay healthy, but there's a special,

he's got special traits. Need it. As they say. We're going another good week. Yeah. He just, ripping baseballs 100 plus miles an hour. It's good.

I like that. Again, might have to be in a trade. Like, a lot of these, guys are yeah a lot of these guys are gonna have to learn anaheim uh-huh like along with we're we're putting noles in the deal oh my god we're putting noles and then we're gonna add some real prospects to get trout to get trout here like that a lot of these guys are gonna have to learn anaheim

we trade that anahm all the time that's what they do i mean they did two and one often like one deadline i know and then they traded them uh they traded them george claus yeah yeah for for uh carlos seven. A lot of these guys are going to have to learn. And then the last one is Marty Gare, who, I haven't seen many Phillies prospects to be able to do this, but he was throwing 102 the other night.

Oh, yeah, out of nowhere to. Yeah, so he's a little reliever prospect. 102. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So he,

yeah, now he's got to have some good control issues. He still has to hone in on that stuff. Well, you would talk about just pure stuff. Yeah, it's 102 and a pretty hard slider. That's like a fast.

Heavy 102, watching him. look top the square up. Anderson Navaz is a former catcher turning into a pitcher. And I don't know how he developed, I don't know how he developed fuel for spin in one off season.

He's like up to 97 with a real slider. So a lot of little things going on. Love it. With the old system. Love it. And the Florida Coast League is now underway. We're winning games at the majors. We're winning at the minors is a beautiful thing.

It wasn't a great minor league week. Like from standpoint of the, I mean, Redding did win 20 to nothing on Saturday? Did they really? Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

So, but it wasn't like like Jersey Shores is struck a little bit. Always regression. It's all about the individual player development. Yeah, yeah, yeah, we don't care. Team record doesn't matter. Honestly, it doesn't to me. All right.

Reds, three games. Coming to town? Yeah, they're here. Yeah, yeah, yeah. La Dola versus Payne. Yeah, now Lidola's been bad. He will. Not against us.

He will. He's got like an ADRA. He'll shut us out tonight. He's going to shove tonight. Get ready for that. Lazzardo burns tomorrow. That's awesome. Awesome. If Paul Skeins didn't exist, he's the best picture in the in the NL Central.

And then Abbott, two pictures who are relying on. We got Andrew Abbott coming, huh? He's been horrible. Yeah, another guy will shut us down. Like that's like crafty lefty is going to just burn us. Abbott versus Nola. Oh, great. Take the over.

Day game. That'll be fun. Take the over. That's great. All right. Yeah. Do you, it burns those art of the Mars. It's going to be awesome.

Yeah. This is a fun series. And same record coming in 24 and 23. so it is a team they're competing with and stuff like that. JJ J.J. Bladay has been awesome. Ellie's like figured it out. Yeah, Ellie's fun, dude. I own Ellie in fantasy this year and it's been a very good time.

Tito back in town. He is awesome, man. T.J. Friedel. Yeah. Spencer Steer. Yeah, just name. Let's go name all the roads. Will Benson is he still a red?

Yeah. He's still. He's still. He's been great. Good. Yeah, there's a good team. Good little ball club. Yeah, they're fun.

I actually like threats. All right. So we'll be back Wednesday, Thursday, wrap up the series. And again, we will have information for you with some places and dates next pod about where we're going to be, what's coming up. But June 20th, hold the date June 10th. We got a lot of fun stuff to tell you about. Save the date.

Save the date. All right. Until that, please read some tells us. This is the High Hopes podcast. I hope. On the Odyssey app in Sports Radio 94, WIP. I feel a little less along. Y'all.

This is another edition of the high Ops podcast, sponsored by Miller Light, official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies. Taste like Miller Time Philadelphia. Celebrate responsibly. Celebrate being over 500, Frizzie. How about it, dude? It's so exciting to actually do a real yo,

like an exciting yo. The first time all year, maybe since opening freaking day, we got to do a real yo. We have a baseball team, man. What the best series of the season? Friday, maybe the best like game of the season. Then we just get like, what, 16 sterling innings from our two aces?

What a weekend, dude? The stars look like stars. Alec Bohm is not sucking all of a sudden. How about it, dude? What a thrill. Summer's on. We got a ball season. We got a ball season.

And we didn't talk about the Red Sox series. I know. You're right. Yeah. Which is a total bummer because that was three tight games. It was. We were supposed to hang out with everyone for one. We apologize, guys.

It was not our call to cancel it. It was another call, but we will be making it up. We'll be telling you about that soon. Once again, the weather people make a huge deal. It's always Boston's fault. I know. I know. So with all you worry, we got a busy June.

Oh, yeah. We got some stuff to tell you about. We've got events coming. We'll get it all together and we'll tell you how about. It's going to be awesome. So a lot of stuff. But yeah, no. Friday night was the,

was the win of the season. And impressive, too, not for nothing. I mean, playing up in Boston the night before. Yeah, they're going to Pittsburgh. Got delayed by 20 minutes. That's not like the longest rain delay in the world. They always lose that game, especially going down. Like, what was it?

Six nothing at first. Like, it's like, they always lose that game. They don't, honestly, I'm surprised they put up any runs, much less fought back in the game. But then you know what happened is that Donnie baseball went out to the mound. And he said, we're not losing. And the boys said, you know what, Donnie? You're right.

and LeBron Harper said I had the same notion, which I was, which I appreciated. And you know what's actually nice about that? I'm mostly pro, like letting the guy go out there and eatings and when he had shelved. But he got Nola out of there. Yeah, like four, maybe. Yeah. And he gave them time to come back and really make that a game. And then, yeah, late was just amazing.

It was amazing. It was unbelievable. It was so. And I mean, I thought it was gone. I did. I think we all probably did in the moment. Bryce probably didn't do. But I mean, that moment, and it, I was especially fun because I don't know if ever remembers,

but one week prior on Friday, they were down six nothing and then seven to the Rockies fought back, lost in extras. And it was like, I was like, I said to Emily, I'm like, if this is like a repeat last Friday, I'm going to be so annoyed right now that we sat here and watched his comeback. And they finished it off. So, and it was just the way they did it. Obviously, I mean, Kyle Schwerber, dude. I mean, the thing about Schwerver, first.

well, let's see on pace for like 70 right now or something like that. 20 homers and 45 games, the eighth person in baseball history to ever do that. But it's not that, the thing that I've always loved about, we've talked this a million times with Schrober, but it feels like so few of his home runs are like meaningless. It feels like he hits so many big shot Boston.

We do you have that, that homer in the eighth. Like it feels like this dude, like not only does he just hit a ton of homers, but he hits so many big homers and big spots. Well, he gets, he either gets the party started. Yes, exactly. It's one of the other.

You're right. Or he adds on and kind of puts it out of reach. And then sometimes, like, he hasn't had a ton of late inning ones. That's what made the Boston one so great. He had one against a dime back this year, I want to say, in like the seventh inning. But he's usually like the party starter.

You know what I mean? But he does not have the, he's not the, they actually came back in the game that he had won. That was like when they were up or down seven two. Yeah, he made it eight five. I think it was eight two and he made eight five. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

It's a big homer. Yeah. So he is, dude, he's just a man. And the one off of, the one off Mason Montgomery on, I mean, that's a lefty that throws 96 to 100. I don't,

he's not allowed a home run to a lefty all year. And Schwabber, I mean, it's like didn't even get off the ground. It was a line drive to the Pirates bullpen. He is, like, we've talked a lot about his like late career.

resurgence. And I know he's not having the average that this guy had, but he's Poppy. He is, he is, he is, he is, he is, has a chance to be a hall of fame or someday. Like that, that's the, like, if he keeps like, he's,

well, talking about me, he's going to get to, I think he's going to get to 500. Like, I think, I think 600 is, that's what I mean. Like, he's got like, like, 500. I feel like, like, you know, L.O.C. Pretty much, dude. Like, it is, it is a wild thing.

It's rare to see guys like elevate like this from like, 30 forward, you know? Not during the 90s. That's right me. Outside the steroid. Outside of the stairpoint. For real, though, you know. No, it's, it's crazy.

And I think, I mean, he's gonna, he's gonna get to 500, barring something like catastrophic. And the nice part about him is he feels like he has gotten into such a groove as a hitter. Like he's, I think he's found who he is. I think he found, has found what works for him. His hands are so fast. Insane. Some of the fast I've ever seen.

It's like Sheffield, him. Like, you can go down the list. But he has some of the past names I've ever seen much. Fast, strong. And he also, I think he's just settled into, I think he stopped worrying about I got to be an average guy. I got to not strike out. I think he's very comfortable, strictly looking to launch. Which is what they need from him.

Yeah. Well, of course. They're devoid of power. Exactly. In most instances. So, you know, you watch him. And it's, it's, it's, it's. It's a very true outcome,

he, in a way. But the, the impact he has, like it was so funny, I was sitting there on, I think Saturday after the game was over. And him and Trey had the same batting average. And he want to talk about, light years apart,

a difference of one at 300 points OPS is higher. But his like slugging is like, almost the same as Turner's OPS overall, you know? It probably is close. It's close at least, yeah. Which is a good state. It's unbelievable. state of affairs. But, you know, it's just like it throws a whole fly in the ointment of the average thing.

And it really makes you feel, you know, talk about the impact someone has with the 2.30 something batting average. It's like Schwerper is the best example of the kind of impact that they can have. So, yeah, he is a, he's a godsend. He is truly a godsend having Kyle Schwerper on this baseball. I mean, to be lost with that. I mean, he is, he's so incredibly important. And look, I, you know, we do the whole thing every year where it's like, well, if the big guys don't hit. do that, well, we need everyone else to do. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwerver are doing everything they can to lift this. I mean, Harper, dude, I mean,

he has been unreal, man. And the talk about clutch, too. Has he been E? Has he been super lead? Dude, I think he's like 14th in the league in OPS or something like that. He said so many big hits. He's playing great first base. He's 11th in Wobah, 11th and Wade around. He's talking about, man. 33 years old,

Bryce Harper, dude. Yeah, well, remember the fear mongering that one podcast host did about him against fastballs. Well, I don't remember that. That didn't happen. Well, he took Bubba Chandler was 97. He took over center field on Saturday.

4.57. That was, you don't see balls hit to that part of the field that often that far. Oh, it's a tank shot. My favorite part about that one is, if you, like, slowed it down or you went to the replay,

Harper's like mid-spit. Is he really? So he, like, hits it and goes, that's like, hell yet. Now, back in the 90s, that's a bunch of juice in there. Of course.

For a tobacco spit. Yeah. But he gave one of those. I was like, yeah, that's my guy. That's awesome. Yeah, he's got a little cocky.

And then skeinsy, dude, like 95 off schemes. Can you believe they, they worked at bats against schemes? I mean, that was, and for those who weren't paying attention prior,

you know, after that opening day, Skeens has been lights out. Like he got his ER back under two. Now it's back above. Sure. But he had gotten it from that, you know,

six runs, one out or whatever it was, that opening day to, back under two. back under two and the Phillies are the first team since opening day essentially to really get to him like it was how shocking was that yeah i think it's either his third or his fifth start in his entire career where he's a lot of five earned which is so it shows how amazing it's nonsense because i don't know if he did you see the tweet last week of it was uh it was basically saying that we need we need to

study paul schemes his downfall because by era his first year is 1.96 the second year is 1.97 and this is 1.98. So he's getting worse every year, technically. So it was probably the most, for as great as Friday night was. And I guess I'm, I guess watching the Pirates bullpen, I feel like all those guys have stuff.

So I'm surprised how bad they've been. Me too. And thank you for Chase Sugar. Who they got from the Pirates. Could use them, yeah. But for as great as Friday was, like, we've seen them come back. You know, they've come back in games

and almost won them. They came back against Boston. and you mentioned the Friday against the Rockies, which they should have won. But Brad Keller comes out to imagine dragons. So, so, but what made, yesterday I think actually the most impressive one of the season, I have never seen them have a plan

at a plate, I feel like. That's what I mean. It was unbelievable. It was crazy. And it was so, it was. Like, Mattingly talked about it after, and I was like, what? You guys had a plan? I know.

Executed it? What? It's like they signed a room. And they said, all right. How do we attack this guy? What? So here's Paul Skeens. He tries to get you to chase an off speed out of the zone. Don't do it.

Attack the fastball. When it's in the zone, you swing at it. But if you see spin, spit on it. Miracle. Wow. What a time. It was a jarring experience. It was.

It didn't look like the team that we know. It just didn't. This ball club? This is not, that's not my Phillies. That's not my Phillies. So, Beck, you want to talk about some overreactions? know, right? If that doesn't give you hope for the playoffs,

I don't know what it will. Honestly, though, it does. Like, and again, we're way far away. And I, I still need to see it in the playoffs to, like, truly in my soul, believe it's going to happen.

But I am, I'm so much more optimistic about this group than I was, you know, obviously, you know, a month ago, but like, really even a week ago.

Like, I just, it feels real. If it, like, again, that for regular season-wise, they feel back. Like, I do not expect them,

like, they'll lose a few games or know of this, but I expect them to be, in this chase now. I expect that, like, I think what we see now is the, like they're not going to go 15 and 4 each 19 games wrestling, but I think there's the level of play

we should expect. Well, a week ago, and even, like, everything beat the Rocky. So I'd say, like, last podcast, right, Monday. I still was in the mindset of, yeah, like, they haven't played anyone that great, signs of life, they started playing better at home,

but it didn't feel totally real. This week has kind of changed it from that, from that mindset. You know, you see what Sanchez and Wheeler did. you mentioned it, 16 innings and really looked the part. Looked it. They looked dominant.

It felt like they were, it felt like after every out there staring at Ball Skeens. And they were like, we're also. There was no doubt. There was no doubt he went into that saying, all right, kid, you know.

I'm still the old dog. Yeah, for real. Now here's my question. I was going to say this with take back. But it's an important time to bring this up. Do you think he is intentionally, for a start like yesterday against Paul Skeins? is he intentionally growing out the gray and letting it show more.

So he can like really hammer home the point of like I'm still I still got it. I wouldn't put it past. There was a lot of gray. There was. All of a sudden, the Phillies are looking gray. I know. We've talked a lot about the gray. Now he thankfully.

It doesn't seem like it's affecting him. Yeah. There's a lot of gray in Wheeler's beer yesterday. Yeah. It doesn't affect him though either, you know. And I think he's growing up to show skiing. I can see that. Yeah.

Yeah. You're going to lose this old man. And shame on the city of Pittsburgh for giving Scheen to Sanning O after leaving that game. Oh, so late. Come on. Come on. I get that you haven't had any stars in baseball at a long time.

Yeah, what do you get it every time? Oh, thank you. He can't leave yet. He's not a Yankee yet. He got Skeensy for what? Three more years after this year? Maybe we'll say. They could trade him.

Yeah, they could trade him. Two years after this year. I don't know. The Bob Nuttings is paying Connor. Yeah, it's a miracle. I know. And the Paul Scheen's quote before the year when he was like, he's going to be the face of the buyer for a long time.

Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Great. I'm sure I'm sure the fans felt during that one. But it was for a city that I view as a tough town. It was a disappointing scene by the city. I agree with you. Yeah.

It was something. But this, you see what you see what Sanchez and Wheeler do, and you do start dreaming of, you know, a playoff series and having to face, having to throw those guys out there in a wild card round is, because I don't think they're winning the division.

But. I agree. How he just keep winning. They gained like, Phillies went 15 and four since my own. They've gained like a game and a half or whatever. It's nuts. It's really a joke.

Yeah. It's really a joke. It's like a coon-you goes down. It's like, no problem. We're still going to put up like nine runs every game. Just like boom. Yeah,

the devil magic braves. It's crazy. Everything's back. Yeah, it is. So yeah. So you have those two like starting a playoffs series. You feel good about it. I heard you guys say this on the air.

I would still start Wheeler in game one. So I, I personally, if it were me, I probably would too. He was just asking what he thinks. I think they could. I think they could.

I think they could. Yeah. But I agree. I think Wheeler deserves it. He's earned it. He's Zach Wheeler. Like, I agree. It was just to split up the left. I do like that we can talk about game one.

How cool is that? Thinking about that. It's thrilling. Hopefully it's a little home game. They can hear roost before a playoff game again. Things that make you weep. Things that make you weep. So you have those two.

Like that's real. Nola is definitely a huge concern. It's a problem. Seeing the ball leave his hands and it's been a while since. And it just, it just die as a. as it approaches the plate and basically saying

please hit me. The NOLA thing, I cannot believe we had four years left. Oh, dude, I know. Four years left. After this. Four plus the rest of the season. It's,

I can't end soon enough. It's such a disastrous contract. It's so bad. I text you to do this on Friday. Yeah. Me and you. Yeah. Very positive people.

We are. You know, for my general demeanor to be as positive as I am, I don't know if it checks out. But when they sign people, we're usually like, hell yeah. We're in, dude. We get excited.

Max Kepler was Zach Bond. Yep. That's what the podcast. I remember. Yeah. So we can talk ourselves and adjust about anything. The two that we were like, eh. This is so true, by the way.

I think we're Taiwan and. No doubt. No doubt. Get in Taiwan, 472. I don't know about that. I remember you being like, especially because there were other guys and not that they've all worked out, but like Ty on. There were a bunch of guys that round the same.

level in that free agency class. And I remember Taiwan was like the last one you wanted of those guys. We're like, he's my least favorite of this group of guys. Because I think Eflin got 50 some million that year. I didn't even 40. I think I think it was 48. So it was Eflin. It was Senga.

It was Tyon and Taiwan. Yep. And it was like, you know, and Sanga's been horrible. Yeah, but when healthy, he's great, just can't say healthy. Yeah. But, um, but yeah. So then the Nola thing is a real, a real issue. Lazzardo is just like, you might have to accept that this.

with what his year's going to be. He's going to have flashes of brilliance and then six and four innings. And I do think, and again, there's not a ton of evidence for this, but it does feel, obviously the playoffs last year, the prime example. It feels like Lazzardo has a big game feel. He does. You know what I mean? I do kind of trust him in a big spot so far.

We'll see. But so like, and we've seen that he can still do it. The Nola thing is on. And look, Painter is what he is. You know, and I will get to start in Boston because he, you know, was better. But the Nola thing, like, let's play this out a bit. Joe was talking about this in the air today being saying like at what point

do you think they will, you know, take him out of the rotation. And I was like, I don't think they will. Never. You know, like,

I mean, he can get hurt. It's about it. So like what, how does this play out? Forget the future. If the four years after, are what they are,

we'll figure out of the rest of this season. Like, is it just as, as simple as no matter how he pitches, this dude just takes the ball every fifth day and then doesn't pitch in the playoffs. Like, is that as simple as that or? Well,

so what I find, what could be different here is the magnally effect because I feel like Thompson would just say Noel's gonna figure it. Oh, he's Nose. That's Nol's. That's, it was a, by design, but they started Nolan a playoff game last year. And then he was this last year as well. So I mean, I guess I could see a Phantom I L. That would be the only way I would think about it. Yeah, but they're not going to like bench him, you know, or like put him in the bullpen, you know, or send and ask him to the miners. Like that's not going to happen. No. No. I mean, the closest was like Myers.

Yeah, Myers. And even that Myers was not as established nor making close to the type of money. Yeah. So and the other issue is there's not really a guy ready. Well, that's a problem. All the guys are young. It's like Gage and Fisher and all these guys who are lower who are nowhere close. Ramon Marquez. Yeah, whatever.

But the point is like, you don't have any. That's what I was saying the shot. Say injury hurt them. Like, because at least he was like closer, you know? Yeah. Now he did sign like Jackson Rutledge and maybe they think they could find something there. He hasn't allowed to run and an inning in a third so far. So watch out. Yeah, excited.

But like Ron Hell has gone down and been bad. Cusick hasn't done anything. None of the starters are really, I mean, they probably, I mean, Chuck King's actually probably been their best starter, which is shocking, because I still think he's a reliever. So, yeah, I know the Iron Pigs currently do not have a, someone who is like, okay, you can bring him up.

They let Trevor Richards go, so Trevor Richards can't. Tom Gillespie, I think, is hurt. Gillespie probably would have been the one. but he's hurt. They could trade for a starter. At the deadline, I heard you guys talk about that. Yeah,

they could. It's not priority number one. I don't think so at he's either, but we do know that Dumbrowski always is looking at that. But if Painter and Nola, and Painter is going to have... I think you expect with Painter that up and the down.

And he looked good in Boston. He looks good in Boston. I'm curious out of Nikes. You know, if they... Were you all right with Mattingly taking him out so quick? Me too. Dude,

I was so surprised. I was like, this kid threw 5-1 running. Like, let's get it. Like, I think him leaving and feeling good about it is more important than winning that game. You know what I mean? What was that? And he's about to face like Williard Brayhew for the third time. And Willier Brayhew, who I think, for my money, is like, well, he's one of the most underrated players of baseball.

I think he's awesome. Like, I cannot believe the Red Sox are talking about trading him in the off season to like free up one of their spots. That guy's, he's amazing. And he had a combined like 300 miles an hour exit velocity. off of Andrew Painter that night. So, yeah, it was third time through. You get him out there at the win. Your bullpen's in a good spot.

Like, easy. That's an easy decision. I felt similar. Yeah. I mean, they probably learned that, they probably learned from their mistake in Atlanta when he went out there in the sixth, and that's when the Harris hit happened. So, yeah, you take the five innings.

Now, what's interesting with him, I wonder if he's able to execute it tonight. I think he threw 24% for Seemers in his last start, which is down from 38. percent on the year average. So they clearly were trying, they've been trying to hide a fast. And I think a lot of it comes down to painter, not things.

I think, I wonder if he's a little stubborn about it because he believes that. Yeah, it's been his best pitch his whole life. It's probably hard to get off that, you know, yeah. So part of it is like, hey, bud. It isn't anymore. It is like,

look at it. Yeah. You got to use something else. And he barely threw it to Rides, which is interesting. So they have, it is good. Gotham listens to the podcast.

guess because we've talked a lot of like it's just nauseam about it makes it better you know it makes it easier like sinkers in sinkers into the righties he can still he actually does pretty well the four seamer against lefties because he can get it in on their hands uh and then sweepers to righties sliders to righties i thought it's like i was i was intrigued by his he got a slider up to 90 a couple times in the in that fourth inning or fifth inning which is a really good development like he can throw that pitch hard and then the sweeper off of it but's on the same plane like that's tough for a hitter to see and that's where he's strikeouts started racking up. So if you can go sweeper slider, sweeper slider sinkers to

righties, and then four seamer and split to lefties. I mean, that can be a plan of attack for Andrew Painter. So we'll see if we can execute it tonight. That is the one intriguing part by Painter as a young pitcher. He can command five pitches. So that is, well, he can throw five pitches. He can throw five pitches. Command is still a moment working on. But it was a good start in Boston. I want to see if he can do it for two straights. starts. But yeah, like getting back to the overall point, starting pitching, we'll see what Payne or Nola look like around the deadline. But besides another right field, probably the pressure point, I don't think BOM's going on. I'd be surprised if they made a move for a third baseman,

you know? Right, especially at this point. Yeah. Like Matt Chapman, when I saw the report of them possibly trading, it was like, there's the obvious, Dombrowski. Let's go get Matt Chapman. Who has not played well? No, ever since he told Kay's, he's, Casey Schmidt, it kept the ball. You're right. Yeah. He's been horrendous. And Casey Schmidt's been amazing to think since. And Bome,

406. Well, so that's what I was going to say. Let's get to Bome. And stop, really. Both those guys have really picked it up, certainly over the last week and a couple weeks for Stott. Whole air percentage. Not about it. Where are you at with those guys? Like how real? Because that Bome here, Elliot, our buddy Elliott sent us a tweet that you put out.

Yeah. We weren't. We weren't in a. Since the two-day reset, Alec Bome is hitting four. 406 with a 688 slug in a 1,102 OPS, 1112 OPS. Yeah, yeah, I definitely wasn't in the meeting tweeting that. No, yes. We're definitely more busy.

No. So, yeah, I mean, well, like, Bone was never going to hit 160. Of course, you know what I mean? So I'm glad that there's some signs of life here. Actually, the, the double off schemes is really impressive of it. Like, you know, going the opposite way. actually driving it. He is making a more conscious effort to drive it. We'll see. I still would love to know how many of his outs have been to the shortstop. Yeah. And I'm so with you. The percentage

of outs. He rolls it over so many times. It's unbelievable. Man. And the double play on the Friday. Vintage. I mean, just just typical from him. So, you know, he's not as bad as he was. He's not that good. So he's just, he's getting back to being boom. Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. And he's going to be the made some nice defensive plays. Yeah, he was a little late on the. The one, the one, yeah,

the one that went by him was, that was tough. Well, and the double clutch on Griffin. And the double clutch. Yeah. No, but he's fine defensively.

He's, from where he was. Better than I ever thought he'd be. 100%. 100%. And then Stodder. Go on, man. Stop.

man. He just is hitting the ball harder. Like, and obviously the number is safe, but it's, it's so clear to the eye test that he's just hitting the ball harder. No,

he is. He is. Now, I do think it has sacrificed some of his, like natural bat's a ball. Yeah, but the, yeah. Yeah.

He is like just trying to launch, which I can't be someone that's been anti, you know, I need, I need them to try to launch. It wasn't working the other way. Like, you know, why not?

Sure. So, so I feel, I feel pretty good about that. I guess I just feel, I think they're both settling into the season. I'm not going to say like they're going to go on a run and turn to what Marsh is doing.

It's like, because like Marsh, I believe a lot in. Me too. And he, that hit on Friday was amazing. Awesome. Huge.

Like the, it was a gaming hit, essentially. The offense is finding its footing. I thought Trey yesterday, I tweeted about it. I thought it was nice. He was like seeing the ball late and like really making shit. I thought his head was down like trying to go the opposite way and hit leap hard, as Bryce says.

You know, I thought that was that was at least encouraging and maybe pulling himself out of whatever his early season slump. But, you know, Adolese like struggling. And all of a sudden, JT's down at 220. Dude, JT's, his OPS is under 600 now. Because he was, when he was, we got pro-I-L. 400 obes when he got put on the I. When you got put on the I off. OBP, I mean, excuse me.

I thought he was hitting like 270. Yeah, and he had 400 OBB. Yeah. Now, he did get a good hit yesterday, which is good to say, but all of a sudden, him being down there. So, like,

it feels like the offense is kind of finding its footing. And I did it against him. Now, they didn't smoke the ball in Boston. They kind of just did enough. And that's a really good staff. Yeah. Oh, really good.

Like the Red Sox, I saw some stat this morning. The Red Sox could average four and a half runs per game. They'd be 32 and 14. That is unbelievable. So we watch the Phillies offense when we want to rip our hair. You're right. No, that's a good point.

But it feels like they're fine on their footing. And this weekend against that Pirates team, I thought was impressive. I mean, that was the best series of the season for them. Like Chandler, I like, I think he's got a, he's got to develop a little more.

He's got stuff, but he's got, I've seen the Phillies get shut down by guys of stuff. Especially you guys they don't see, you know, like a guy they haven't seen before. It's like a disaster for them, you know? And Ashcraft,

I like a lot. Yeah, he was good. Yeah. Ashcraft. He deserved the ovation that he got when he left the field. Unlike that fraud. It's for real, though, yeah. Well, Skeens is just so surprised.

He's still pitching in the 6th inning. Got him. This is how young race is going to be crazy. Yeah. Sati, buddy. Sanji's in it. Of course he's in it. He's probably the favorite actually right now.

Skeens is still the favorite, which is propaganda. It's nonsense. Ridiculous. Yeah. He's got two stars at five plus earn. It's just a 1-8, man. And Otani's got a 0.84. Yeah.

I know. Otani has been insane. Yeah, he's just like Will. Yeah. You decide one year. I'm going to win the Sion. I know. No,

seriously. Like, I mean, look, the year he didn't pitch you, but 50-50 for Christ. Yeah. And have you seen him hit this year?

Yeah, it's not as good as the pitching. I'm just, here's a PSA. The baseball voters out there. He doesn't deserve MVP this year. Like, do not give Otani the MVP this year.

If he's going to have a, it's early still. If he's going to have a 700 OPS. I agree. He's got to be a much better. Yeah. I let him win Siyangang. Like,

give him the Siyangang. Yeah. He doesn't need... Every year we don't need to do this. We don't need to do the Otani MVP. He's clearly the best player. We get it. You know, like every year automatically, yes,

he is automatically the most valuable player every year. Like, we get it. Like, yeah. You know what? Let's move on. Give Schwabes and Harpachet. That's what I'm saying. All right.

One more thing that I'm going to take back because you mentioned Turner. And this is a super small thing, but I've noticed it. I haven't back-to-back nights in Boston. Ninth inning, I think it was ninth both, but... Challenge two balls that were like clearly strong. Like, like so obviously strikes. And it feels like he is like,

it feels like he is of all the guys, the one who's like, screw that. Like, we'll be like, no, you know, and like, I know there's a really little thing, but it was back to back nights in late game situations and it was like clearly strikes. He's like, nope. Does that kind of stuff concern you at all?

And do you think players get annoyed with guys in those situations? Because I would. Well, well, I think if a guy challenges the ball in the first inning, he better be. Damn right. I know the ninth it's better because it's,

you know, you don't, you know, whatever, but the one, it's funny you mention that because I've noticed it with Crawford too. Crawford's horrible early in the season, like really bad with it. And it feels like they talked to them and they were like,

hey, buddy, you can't be the one that is, that is using these. So I almost think they're doing it with the stars. Like, you can do it when you want. Yeah. And,

um, yeah, I mean, there's a concern. Like, it doesn't, I think it's more just, it was just notable.

You know what I mean? And he's, he seems like one that, well, he feels like someone who presses a lot. That's my point. That's what I was trying to say. It feels like he's like part of the whole like him just being in his head. You know what I mean? Yeah, he is, he's tight. He really gets in his head, man. It's wild.

What's nice, though, is it has not translated defensively. No, he's been good again. Yeah, no, you're right. I mean, the play, he had two game saving plays in that third game of Boston. That was, I mean, that was huge. Like, those were awesome players. I like the one where he's running out the left field. And he's just begging Felix, Reyes. I know.

He's like, dude. Please stop running. Yeah, out of my way. Yeah. So, so defensively,

I think he's still done the part. I do love the, I do love him with the backhand thing on just a routine ground ball. Oh, I know. It's so funny. It's so different than how everyone's been taught. Uh-huh.

It's so weird. Yeah. He is, he is the, he does the prettiest, like, pirouet, like,

spin and pirouette. Like, whenever he does that, it always looks so pretty. And he always just blows the bubble after. Yeah. He's just, it looks so good.

Smooth cat. too, like his swing is beautiful. Like you don't normally think about right-handed guys having a pretty swing. It's always the lefties, you know? He has a really pretty swing for right-hand. He's got to figure it out. Hit the ball. Hit the freaking ball. It's hard. It's our lead off editor.

It's got like a 640 OPS. Yeah, it's not great. And 280 something will be big. Making a lot of money. Well, we always sounded for his defense. Yeah, exactly. So that's why he's here. It's good. That's why he's good. All right. All right. Let's take back.

All right. All right. What do we got? What do we got? So Preston is over in in Japan. And they're scouting. The third base kid? Yeah. Yeah. Sato.

That's how you said. I believe so. I may have just heard of him. I may have just heard of him two days ago. I need him. You never want anyone more in your life. He is. He might single-handedly save the winner.

I mean, he's 27. He plays a dynamite third base. He's another lefty. You know. Unbelievable, right? Yeah. Of course. You get him, trade for Devers.

Let's just go all the lefties. Well, again, what has happened to the right-handed hitter in baseball? It's so strange. There's no good right-handed hitters in baseball. Bobby Witt, like there aren't many. There's just the judgey. Yeah, judge, of course. But like, they're, you know.

All the good hitters are lefty. Yeah. All the good prospects are left-hazy. You're right. It's annoying. Yeah. We need the, we need the, we need to save the right-hand-hiel. There's just not many.

Tatis is not going to hit a home run this year, allegedly. Unbelievable. Alonzo. There's a couple. Mani, Machado. Like, there's some dudes, but yeah, no, I know. I, but he's, I wouldn't cook, but you know what I mean. Yeah, he's not, it used to me. You're right. There's not a really fair point. Because I keep looking at trade candidates. And it's like,

great. We're back to Taylor. We're back to Joe Adele. We're back to Jorge Saler. You know, it's always, you know, what is old as new again? I could do Horace O'Lare or not. In the middle second. Yeah. The problem is he'd have to play the field, which I don't know. Yeah, he's played seven games in right field. I mean,

you'd stick him there. I mean, I'd rather of him than than the Dolos offense. He's only got eight homers this year. Ores O'Holair. Yeah, but he's one of those guys. Yeah, and he's one of those guys who can go out of tear. So I actually think the guy that I'm most in on trading for it, now they'd have to stay out of it is, well, listen,

obviously, I want box then if he's available. I want trout always. Always. And if Tatis is available. Add that trout contract. Let's hear it. Yeah. Why not?

Why not? And then Tatis, if the Padres need to shed money. Another big contract. Yeah. Let's take another big contract. Although Tatis post PEDs is obviously not been the same. guy. The guy I think that could realistically make sense. I

believe I want the most at this point is Randy. So I was going to mention him, but I didn't know if he would be like available. I would love Randy. They're like 21 and 26. Yeah, but that whole division is. I mean, the A's are in first place at like 23 and 23 or whatever. Love the age. Me too. Love that team. So fun. Love that team. So yeah,

they might not sell him myself. But I don't know. You know, I wanted him. Randy's fully in. He was in my offseason. He was in my perfect deadline last year. Like fully in. Love him. You're about to say he was in my wedding. Yeah. I would have taken him.

Now, Randy would have been when I got married, so what's he like 32 now? So Randy would have been 20. No, I'm sorry. He would have been like 17 years old when I got married. So yeah. It's your 15 year anniversary, which I definitely knew.

Yeah, he just found out. Not before the meeting. We're in. We'll be doing something on my, I won't be hanging out of my wife. That's right. How romantic. Yeah.

But he, he's sitting 306 with a 389. OEP this year and four homers. And just another guy who's had huge moments. Only at 188 in the postseason last year, but don't care. Don't care. So Randy, Randy is one that kind of makes sense.

And a good field or two, the whole thing. He'd be great tough. Now, it would be tough because he's best friends with the Doleys. Yeah, I know. I forgot about that.

You're right. I'd be a little weird. Yeah, a little weird. But, and he's only on one year deal like he's done it for this year. So he's a contract year, Randy.

I like it. Anyway, but this kid, like great defensive third baseman hit something hit up 117 miles an hour. Hey buddy. He's, uh, he looks, he looks sick and they need young talent, obviously, to come through, he's 27.

They did with Bichette last year. Bona has a higher OPS than Bichette, which is crazy. Which is crazy. Did you see the Saturday, the Mets, uh, the, dropping the ball? Oh my God, that was unbelievable. Remind me of the, remember the Louis Cascio on? Yes, that's exactly what it was like. Yeah.

Now that wasn't, pop right off the glove. I know. Yeah. What a, You rarely see you guys miss it. You rarely see it pop off the glove and just take off the other way. Yeah. Bullet dodged. Yeah, I like that.

Did you? I didn't like Sanchez going back out for the ninth. Yeah. Like I, I'm okay with it. It was so unnecessary. You're up six nothing. You know,

like it just didn't feel necessary. I get it. 16th. Yeah, it's just unnecessary. I like it. I guarantee Sanj's not going to look good at the next start. That's what's going to.

happen. We'll say. I just, yeah, it felt, it felt, you know, Dussy Woffin just sitting there saying this is easy. I just have my starter goes up. I go nine. Especially when you're filling in. It's like, wouldn't you be like extra? Get him out. Get him out. Get him out. She dusty making history. No. It's a, oh, I think it was the fifth, uh, he became the fifth, uh, manager, father or father's son, come out of management. Interesting. Yeah. Interesting. Uh, for your planning purposes out there. Reading game, June 20. Yeah. Yeah, buddy. Yeah, we're going to go see the fight.

And it won't be cold and rainy like last year. And June 10th, just save that date. Yeah, we'll give you some info on it. But June 10th is a date. Yes. But June 20th, we are going to go to Redding. We'll get the landing page for all that. So you can get tickets.

We can all sit together, stand together. It's going to be great. Yeah. And, you know, Norie will still be there. Brian Rincon will still be there. Arun will still be there. I don't know what the pitching staff will see. Well, I don't know.

Maybe Mavis Graves will be up there by that point. Mavis Graves as we shift into the minor league. There we go. Yeah, everyone's been waiting for. So Mavis Graves is pitching very, very well for Jersey. It's a great name. Like a home run name. I do still view this as him pitching as well or pitching well enough to be included in a trade.

Sure. Which is important. He reminds me of like J-Hap. It's not going to overwhelm you. It's not like, he's not throwing 98. from the left side. He's just a crafty, good, majorly.

Love a crafty, love to. Yeah, so he's pitching very well for Jersey Shore and kind of, you know, going off of what a lot of people felt like this offseason, he was going to have a good year. So Mavis Graves, I think pitching is well enough to put himself in a trade to where hopefully they don't have to trade someone.

Legit, legit, legit. One guy who was turning into legit, is Ramon Marquez, who, for my money, is the second best pitching prospect in the York. Wow, after gauge? After gauge. After gauge. After gauge.

Yeah, yeah. So, and it's not, they don't have many great pitchers. Oh, yeah, it's not like, yeah, they're not, yeah.

The Mariners where they have, where they have Kate Anderson and Ryan Sloan to go on top of it. And just brought up cold, I know, not a pitcher, but brought up cold Emerson. Yeah.

It's like, no, yeah. So, um, no, but this kid is not a lot of run yet. He pitched five scoreless over,

over the weekend, struck out nine. Yeah, buddy. He has a airbender, Devin Williams, change up. I am begging Nebraska not to trade.

him, but it feels like they're going to have to make a big move. He's like, yeah. He's the one they would put in before, before a gauge. He's sick, man. He's sick. So, uh, he's like up to 97 now or is like 93 last year. He's got a little cutter. So we're all in a Ramo Marquez.

Love it. Burke holder at another good week. Now, I struggle last night. Went one for five, uh, to really cap off what really was a great week for Griff. Like, like, it's freaking awesome. So, I still think he's the second best hitting prospect. in New York. I'm so happy. He's

got to say healthy. I don't know if he's ever really going to stay healthy, but there's a special, he's got special traits. Need it. As they say. We're going another good week. Yeah. He just, he's just ripping baseballs 100 plus miles an hour. It's good. I like that. Again, might have

to be in a trade. Like, a lot of these guys are going to have to learn Anaheim. Uh-huh. Like, along with we're putting Noles in the deal. Oh, my God. We're putting Noles and then we're going to add some real prospects to get trout is that we're doing to get trout here.

A lot of these guys are going to have to learn Anaheim. We traded Anahm all the time. That's what they do. I mean, they did two and one often, like one deadline. I know. And then they traded them, they traded them George Clausen. Yeah. Yeah. For Carlos S.

Nevis. So a lot of these guys are going to have to learn. And then the last one is Marty Gare, who I've seen many Phillies prospects be able to do this, but he was throwing 102 the other night. Oh, yeah, out of nowhere. So he's a little reliever prospect. 102.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So he, yeah, he, now he's going to have some good control issues. He still has to hone in on that stuff. Well, you would talk about just pure stuff. Yeah, it's 102 and a pretty hard slider. That's like a fast. Heavy 102, 102 watching him. Like, look top the square up.

Anderson Nevas is a former catcher turning into a pitcher. And I don't know how he developed, I don't know how he developed fuel for spinning one off season. He's like up to 97 with a real slider. So a lot of little things going on With the old system And the Florida Coast League is now underway Winning games of the majors

We're winning at the minors is a beautiful thing Wasn't a great minor league week Like from standpoint of like the I mean now Reading did win 20 to nothing on Saturday Did they really? Oh yeah yeah Yeah so but it wasn't like like Jersey Shores It's shrugging a little bit

But it was always regression So about the individual player development Yeah we don't care The team record doesn't matter though Honestly it doesn't to me All right Reds, three games. Coming to town?

Yeah, they're here. Ladolo versus Pan. Now, LaDola's been bad. He will. Not against us. He will. He's got like an ADRA. He'll shut us out tonight.

He's going to shove tonight. Get ready for that. Lazzardo burns tomorrow. That's awesome. If Paul Skeins didn't exist, he's the best pitcher in the NL Central. And then Abbott, two pictures who are relying on.

We got Andrew Abbott coming, huh? He's been horrible. Yeah, another guy who shut us down. Like that crafty lefty is going to just burn us. Abbott versus Nola. Oh, great. Big be over. Day game.

That'll be fun. Take the over. That's great. All right. Yeah. Dude, Burms is a art of the Mars. It's going to be awesome.

Yeah, this is a fun series. And same record coming in 24 and 23. So it is a team they're competing with and stuff like that. So. JJ Bladay has been awesome. Ellie's like figured it out. Yeah, Ellie's fun, dude.

I own Ellie in fantasy this year and it's been a very good time. Tito back in town. He is awesome, man. T.J. Friedel. Yeah. Spencer Steer. Yeah, just name. Let's go name all the roads.

Will Benson. Is he still around? Yeah. He's still. JJ Blade has been great. Good. Yeah, there's a good team. Good little balka.

Yeah, they're fun. I actually like threats. All right. So we'll be back Wednesday, night, Thursday, wrap up the series. And again, we will have information for you with some places and dates next pod about where we're going to be, what's coming up. But June 20th, Redding. Hold the date June 10th.

We got a lot of fun stuff to tell you about. Save the date. Save the date. All right. Until that, he's rid themselves.