High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The Phillies Ruined Easter

Episode Date: April 20, 2025

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies' extra-inning loss to the Marlins and discuss the bullpen's struggles over the weekend. Later, the guys preview this week's road trip to Queens and the north side of Chicago. 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

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On the Odyssey app in sports radio, 94 WIP. I was singing high hopes, smiling through a broken nose. Oh, high hopes, high hopes. I feel a little less alone. Yo! It is another edition of the High Hopes by guest, sponsored by Miller Lite official, partner of the Philadelphia Phillies. Tastes like Miller time, celebrate responsibly, Jack,

and happy holidays to everyone, whatever you celebrate today, all that. But Jack, today tastes like Miller time. Today tasted like a classic, classic High Hop hopes Sunday. As soon as you and I confirmed we were recording on Sunday, and actually we were talking about last night, really, we confirmed it when Jordan Romano started pitching probably and it was like from then it was like, Oh, and we should have known up for one up for two. Like I said you early in the game, classic, I hope Sunday when they went up one, nothing like we should have known, should have known that they were going to blow it today.

What a, what a strange series. I mean, Friday, I liked for, for, you know, uh, more than half of the series, the Phillies just absolutely dominate, but you know, late disastrous bullpen efforts and you know, uh, missed moments and, uh, and we're sitting here taking two or three, and, you know, missed moments. And we're sitting here taking two or three, which, you know, I'll take, but it felt most of the way through last night, like we were on our way to a much different type of series.

I was so excited to record this podcast. I was just so happy. I had so many lineup thoughts. I had so many like, this might be it. We always take two or three. We die for two or three. But man, that sucked. But man, that was that joke about the the line where it's like that, you know, and it's like the it really goes back to the Schmidt. There's nothing like winning and the joy of victory and the agony of reading about the paper. Like we do the whole like who's most to blame for the win type of thing.

This is definitely a like they want to a three, but it feels like they want one of three series. It just does like I mean that like it like and today the loss was horrible. And it's still like in the moment might not feel as bad as the win that last night did in the moment when Romano was pitching. And it was like just like the most helpless feeling. Want him die on the vine. Like, anyway, go ahead. I'm sorry. Yeah, I don't know.

Like, I don't know. I they still mostly dominated the series. That kid that that kid that had five RBIs today, I mean, he's gonna go down in the record books. He may never play in the big leagues ever again, or he might play for 15 years and be a pain in the ass. And if you wanna look at it this way, without the second baseman,

the Phillies might have just lost cleanly and it wouldn't have been an issue. Well, if Stott, but, but also stop makes a play then You're right, you're right, you're right, which is Which is beyond frustrating rare and the hey suit No, I know I was so you talked about getting excited to the pot I was so excited. I know and do this whole there's one pot out there talking about a so this is art Oh Zeus years ago. No big deal telling you how good he was. No big deal. And then, you know, ruined.

Yeah, no. And it was it was all the Easter puns were landing. Oh, so he was so good. He was dominating against his old team. He had that moment where he did not throw the pitch and I thought his arm exploded. And that was a really, really terrifying moment. Yeah, yeah I was like you got to be freaking kidding me yeah I felt nothing when the the five RBI kid I don't remember his name I can't do it I keep want to say I said yo huh I keep want to say Easter thing is is I'm sure someone will pick up on this that hey Suze through the first pitch and the guy who the Marlins closer was named or the guy closing out was named hey Suze so hey Suze through the first pitch and the last pitch in

this game when he's there that's that's actually pretty hilarious you know baseball baseball that's Jason Stark stat if I ever have I ever seen one well I keep wanting to say San Diego because I think about the old Viking safety. And a former eagle, people forget. He was also an eagle. He was fun. He flew around, man. He was a Fritz type safety,

just throwing his body around, you know. Well, I mean, Lawzah Blunt ran him over in the energy machine. But regardless, but regardless, because because everything was setting up so well, it was I was honestly it was one of those games that I think you should I can feel a loss coming from a mile away. Didn't even see it coming. I mean, didn't even feel it. Yeah, no. Not at all. I hit me like a ton of bricks was on the phone with my buddy and I was like,

hold on, what the, you know, I, I was like, I gotta go. I gotta go. I didn't feel it. I didn't feel it at all. Oh man, they ruined what was the jig. I, I, I, I'm not even, their man winning was, was obviously excruciating.

I can't, I'm not letting that ruin what was a dominant offensive performance. Like at the end of the day, like a win to win. We care about running differential, but at the end of the day, it doesn't actually matter. So you know, it matters. Yeah, I'm with you. But you know what I mean? Like at the end of the day, at the end of the day. But yeah, like this was and Kirkland, man, like, I mean, what was that? Like Like he just hung that right out there too.

Like, ah, man, that was Thompson's Thompson's fault. Thompson's fault. I mean, like, look, I'm fine with ripping Rob Thompson for certain things this season, like ripping him for going to Kirkman in that spot in the game. Like, like, I like that's like we've reached a new level of now I'm not usually that guy I'm not usually that guy that like quotes tweets dumb people I just sometimes I just sometimes need people to see what my mentions are like on a daily basis and that's pool oh it's

it's excruciating on top of the on top of the phone callers. It's it's it's a tough one. And you know, the tough part about being a reliever is that, you know, I think I saw our guy Robert or tweet this. It's like you have a one bad day at work and everyone's like, you suck. Well, and not just that, not just that. You do that. You have one bad day at work. And then all you suck. Well, I know that not just that you do that. You have one bad day at work. And then all of a sudden you have to spend the rest of the season

getting your ERA back to a respectable level, which matters for like contracts and this and that. Like, it's like, you know, I mean, like it certainly mattered more back in the day. I'm sure teams are a little more analytical about it now. But I mean, like Romano, like, like if he has an ERA under three this season, it'll be a freaking miracle after giving up six and under three. That's what I thought not to allow a run. That's what I put. That's my point. Like that's it for reliever. You look at it, you're like, are they under three? Like, you know, if you want to go like, yeah, that type of thing,

which, you know, as we know with an air, it's not a good way to do it. But I mean, it's just like one of those things where it really can just destroy your stat line in a way that that, you know, one bad start does. Of course, of course. So. I actually do leave the weekend feeling more more positives than negative. I think the I think the obvious is the bullpen. But at the same time, like Strahm wasn't great, Kirkery wasn't great. There are two of your studs.

You know, I don't know. And again, the problem with the bullpen now is that they're just completely overworked and that's gonna be an issue until they can fix this thing in July. And the fact that Taiwan can only give them four yesterday stunk, it's not Taiwan's fault. Yeah, exactly. He had a shoulder soreness.

So that forced them to use a million guys yesterday. Obviously having to put Alvarado in was a disaster. Thankfully, they have their one-off day, seemingly this month, this week, on what, Wednesday? Actually, yeah. Or Thursday? And look, Thursday. And look, Alvarado coming back today after that yesterday

was great again. It was nasty. Yeah. It was nasty. But overall, I continue to be really excited about what what the the top of the lineup is doing, you know Obviously that was only one for five today and there was moments like late in the game where I Would have liked more of a thumper up there. But at the same time like I think the most important thing He had a great weekend. He did and and at the same time

I think it's way more important to have Kyle Schorber in the clean-up spot It just is it's it's having a real look at what look at what Bryce has done since since Schorber got in that spot So I Offensively I leave feeling mostly positive. Although again, it was vintage Phillies score early and then don't score again I mean no team of baseball is better at that at scoring early I believe the way they jumped on team on the Marlins the way that you know Stott and Turner at the top of the lineup they they were moving all around the base They stole a lot of bags this weekend, which was I think a fun product to put on the field

It's really just a bullpen. Let them down and you're not gonna score every inning. I get that I just They did enough this series to leave it feeling I think more positive than negative and the starting staff looks really good I mean Wheeler that was probably his best start of the year Awesome. I think there's I think we might be watching a arsenal change from Zach Wheeler where You know usually as fastballs 97 days for semen You know, it throws this for seamer up in the zone and and powering a pass guys I'd never seen him use his his sinker the way that he used it the other night and

Maybe that's like his adjustment to get back in the zone and and get hitters off of his for seamer is to use more The sinker I mean, I thought I was watching prime noels on Sunday on Friday night more of the sinker. I mean, I thought I was watching Prime Knowles on Sunday on Friday night. And it and it's so he's with 9798 in the back pocket. And he's so great that he can do that. That's that's the power of Zach Wheeler is like, he's like, you know, I'm gonna do now, I'm going to develop like a Greg Maddox like to Seymour and and just work that in and see how that goes. So he's obviously, you know, a

freak. And then I thought Taiwan Pish well yesterday when he was out there. And then, dude, let's start or just continue to- It was nice after the last start to see Taiwan bounce back like that. Sure, well, it was good. It was one bad inning anyway.

It was one bad inning. It was one bad inning. So it was good to see that that did carry over and he's been more fine than whatever. So although if he has missed time,, make able right there, right there. Come on. Why not? Nick? Why not? Oh, we can bring it back. I love that. Love it. But yeah, you get to do this because you know, they started,

especially giving up the runner. I think he's done that twice and then just settled in and you know, goes seven, uh, that last run unearned the strikeouts, the dominance, the stuff like we've already seen, you know, go seven, that last run unearned, the strikeouts, the dominance, the stuff, like we've already seen, you know, I look, he's got to keep it going all year. That's been his thing, the consistency of the staying healthy, but like, you know, how much, you know, you've watched more and that's why I want your comment on this, but like as someone who's on him in fantasy, he was like, I've watched a lot of Lizardo and like, he looks different. Like he looks the way he pitched the ways being economical, the ways trying to get through mornings and look, he did great with his pitches today.

I like he was only in like the 80 range or something, I think like, um, or 88, I think he under the, yeah. Yeah. So like he was, uh, it's just, he's been awesome. And I do think that so far they're really getting something out of him. And I think that the future is so bright for, future being this year and the next year and we'll see what happens. But I think moving forward, it's so encouraging.

Well, he looks like an ace. And there's, he just looks like, and this is way better than even the year that we had him plus eight thousand for Cy Young that was still a lot of a lot of five inning starts and you know what he's developing into is just a Pitcher like he's he's pitching right now But also and I think the thing that's really tough for hitters is that sweeper bullet slider? combo because obviously they they look the same out of hand one's a little bit slower than the other one and it's got to be a like a son of a

gun to you're a right-handed batter your right-handed batter one comes out of the hand it's like 80 I don't know what a sweeper is but 82 ish off the guessing and then it comes back with an 88 mile an hour just the same exact out of the same slot Same like breaking ball ish kind of kind of motion to it and then it just yeah Dies dies and I thought it's great. I mean like the the I thought he's overpowering with this fastball they like sometimes this year is like his fastballs gotten fouled off a lot or Or kind of squared up not it helped that the Marlins came into the game very aggressive and and I guess we're trying to do damage early and counts that hell We're bad again

No, no three. No three ball counts today for hazel Salazar, though, which is awesome. And I Like I saw some people been like, I can't believe Thompson pulled him. It's just so lose-losey because he's at 88 pitches. It's April 20th. This guy has had arm injuries every single year of his career. Last year, Ranger died second half of the year when they used too much in April. And so did Lizardo in that plus that year we had him, the year he was on my fans team. He was elite for the first half.

I think he maybe the All-Star team or something. And then he was like, okay. In the second app, dude, I'm so with you, dude, I would have been fine if they took him out after that weird moment where I thought he like ruined his, his arm and that where, you know, the weird like kind of, you know, that like moment where they had to come out and stuff like I was like, take him out. I'm good with that. I don't care if he's at 70 pitches right now or whatever it is like, dude, I'm that's crazy down

It's freaking April like what are we doing? What are we doing and this starting staff when Rangers back when painters back? It's just it's such a treat It is such a treat everything on my wheeler a job now Nola will deal with knowledge I wouldn't say it's been a treat so far, but I mean like who's first out of the rotation Taiwan or no I mean, that's a real 2 1 5 2 1 5 I think the hundred and seventy two million dollar guys probably gonna stay in but but I mean Wheeler Sanchez Lizardo is like I'll put those three up against really any three

Well any three and contract to your Ranger and and the next Paul skein I mean and contract your Ranger and and the next Paul skein. I mean, it's so good. It's so good. It's so good. And I mean, we didn't talk about last podcast, but like Chris Sanchez had the highest with rate ever on a change ever. Two thousand and eight, two thousand and eight since they recorded it. Yeah. But still, that's prime Hamels. I mean, that is that is prime.

A lot of great pitchers. You kidding me, dude Like they I mean the dear 12 strikeouts He's been like he we look at those Cy Young tickets Like hang on to those like he has been on everything you could want and has gotten some luck, you know Some win luck which is nice to see for that as much as that doesn't matter like it used to it matters Again, like there you can't what you've gotten from those three guys and really, you know what you got in Taiwan Honestly, you got a miracle. You got to be ecstatic about it Let's get to the bullpen because I think that that's the thing that then we get to the lime some weird

I am handling that. Well, yeah, I'm mostly You know pretty enthused about the lineup after the weekend. We'll get to it. But the bullpen thing like It's gonna be the thing we talk about, you know, we've got our buddy, you know, Elliot tweeting about Mason Miller I'm sure he knows all the specifics and Five years control left and the Miller like it's not a Miller for Miller than guys. Sorry, but Like to the grander point, I do think, look, in a general sense, it is whether or not

you have to pay for it or not, it is generally the easiest thing to replenish in season. There are always arms available, but you know, that's not yet. If you're not gonna see trades yet for the most part, most likely. Look, the Kirk Greenstrum thing, they had days, it happens. Like, I'm not super concerned, but I am concerned about the overworkage with those guys in Alvarado.

And, you know, Romano obviously looked good until that disaster. And, you know, I think he's still counting them to a point. But it is, they're light man And I think top are not in games that are close that they're that they want to win him not being able to trust that the guys for through whatever Ruiz, you know, even Romano like that's It creates a tough situation for a long season You know three months, two months now,

whatever. He's got three guys you can trust. And if they're not perfect, it's, it's not good. And that also, by by also having that situation, James, that means you have to push the starters, which we don't want them to do either way. I mean, like, you don't want to push starters this early in the season, because you don't want them breaking down when you need them the most so that's that that's where

the whole offseason strategy of the bullpen was infuriating it was because I get that you want to save you don't want to spend all the money in the world to tax all that stuff but You can spend a little bit more and get some some The some quality bullpen major league arms like guys who can you can feel at least somewhat comfortable putting into a close game In a late inning, you know like what sure and and like and Jose He's not taking a step forward off of what he did last year is hurting them as well

Like he can't even be a guy that you can maybe give a high lever spot to Carlos Hernandez our boy You know not yet and then Our boy wouldn't you said he was you said he's maybe developing into a lever Joe Ross I mean he should he should be a fifth six inning guy not not having it not having to be a high leverage guy So, you know, it's it's totally killing them and you know on Romano It's it's totally killing them and you know on Romano As a reason why we have this podcast and there's reason why I didn't want to tweet anything about it or you know I have to go on WIC and talk about it Where it matters like his stuff wasn't even bad. It wasn't even bad. I I I

Think he was tipping. I think he was tipping pitches. It's the only thing that makes sense they were on every single pitch he was throwing even when it was 97 98 and Every slider he threw they were either it was outside there spitting on it or they're ripping it I mean there was a stretch there were three shape pitches were just I think there's a home run a double and a rip single So, you know, there's been some talk about whether or not he was tipping, you know, like my good pal Steve Potter He was breaking down the video of him possibly tipping. I was trying to watch this morning Now I was like 530 in the morning So I don't know if I was exactly in the right headspace to be looking at if a guy was Day, you know, come on. I'm but I'm trying I'm trying I'm trying my hardest. I just

He was like 97. Like it wasn't 93 and he's getting hit all around the ballpark. At least it was 98 and he did quote unquote, I guess hit a hundred once, but I don't know how, the gun seemed hot from that standpoint. The TV gun seemed hot. Yeah, cause I think there's a ball on Friday

that was out of whack too. I don't know, either way. Yeah, I did a two multiple this year where I'm just like nope No, they had Taiwan hitting like 96 one pointer on this year. I'm like, come on man like that didn't happen Hey, if it helps the trade value, but But I just I guess I'm not throwing in the towel on Romano Like when he was throwing 93 and it was all over the place. I was done cooked can't pitch I actually I actually don't leave Saturday feeling that way

I think it was more of a tipping problem than anything and Because even though the last three items before that it was it was really good stuff. So I was I don't know I don't know I'm not ready to say he's the worst of all time now He could 100% be trending that way like I mean, we know the Browsky loves signing cooks relievers. Also, I've been seeing this around I Was anti Kimberleos as anyone else Kim bros an all-star and was really good I was down right here, dude Like for what they paid him like they got their money's worth them more from Craig Kimbrough

They just did like one to compare his fault that Rob Thompson overused him and pitched him in big spots I mean, I mean left like it is what it is. Cromwell's good That was a good signing. It was a good signing Well, he was the management of the asset good signing If you want to compare to Heath Emory Heath Emory brand of workman Jerry's familiar It's like seven and eight ERAs when they were here. I mean, come on like wow Romano's is 15 and a half Yeah, I mean Kim will be hated more because of the moment and all that.

But and look, we're you know what we have many, you know, mottos or ethos is on this pod. One of them is, you know, it's not an excuse. It's an explanation. And I will say for a guy who's like a closerish type guy has been a closer ever like coming into an 11 to three game like it's just hard for that you know it is I've seen so many closers over the years like give up runs in those

situations like they just don't have that edge and again not excuse a bit of an excuse but it's I do think there is like some psychology that plays in it you know jack you might not know this they are human beings they're not robots out there sent to exactly right exactly right? So yes, it was a super super low lever spot relievers always allow runs in that situation, and I think he was dipping pitches That's why my official defense of Jordan Romano. And yes, I was I Was sitting I was pretty convinced it was over So I so Jill's like can we please go do something rather than sit around and watch the fillies all day?

I was like, all right. So we went to like a nursery to get plants and Walker's asleep in the back, Sutton's probably asleep or he's just sitting there. Oh, son, it started getting a little tight. And I was just like, I started gripping the steering wheel. You have to know what's going on with dad. What's going on with dad right now?

Also, we need to talk to the engineers at WIP. It's a full minute behind, it seems like, on this radio broadcast. I can't believe it. It's so weird, dude. Like, it used to be like right up there. Dude, I had the same thing. I went out to my car and I was watching and I was like,

what do you mean? Like Alec Bones up. I just saw it. Like, you know, yeah, I'm so with you. If only we knew who to talk to in that situation to help to help the radio broadcast. It's only we knew the engineers that probably could control that.

To one guy who is the one who gets things done. David, I'm talking. Yeah. Oh, I mean, we got some dudes. Austin's a freaking dude. We got dudes like don't get me wrong. But in the WIP bullpen, the WIP bullpen, we got some talented people back there. So, you know, anyway. Yeah, I mean, again, but some of them, they get overworked.

Our bullpen, then, yeah, even overworked. They, I mean, again, but some of them, they get overworked and then yeah, even overworked that we get our guys hold up better than than a so. Question. And then we get to the line and then take back because, you know, it's a holiday. But sure.

Like right now, I don't think they're making any trades right now. I think right now, like the the real answer to what do they do is got to hope that guys pitch better, like Ruiz and, you know, Ross and these guys were going to get shots. And, you know, I can't even include Tanner Banks with a straight face, but you know, these guys to get some outs for now. But Hernandez needs to be better, obviously. But is there anyone in the minors you think is an interesting bullpen arm that that could maybe come up and now you mentioned Lazar before

Anyone else who interests you maybe like, you know if there's an injury comes up and it's like oh crap like we got a dude So the guys is one that's interesting from the standpoint of has had big league experience. I watched him the other night though Fastball location is is pretty excruciating Zunaiga is this he's like he's a horse man. I think he's interesting he kind of gives off the vibe of good in AAA because he can overpower those hitters don't know how it would go at the big league level so I think he's relatively interesting. Lazar is the one I mean he's the one that's closing out games for for the iron pigs right now So again been up to 96 all time master there too. I've heard you know

Yeah, dude. It's the best. It's that take is aging. Well, I mean it did fire up the ironbakes community They were they were really excited about Seems like we might have to make a trip to the iron bigs I think that might be an order. Yes Speaking of hot guns, they might have a hot gun because people forget this Back in 2012 in the carpenter cup. We played their body. Yes and I went out came until it I came into like a bases loaded one-off situation and pitch my way out of it and That was my my college coach was in attendance and at that moment. He said need this kid

But in a hot gun allegations It did have me up to 86. So So maybe the 96 from Lazar is really like 94 But regardless regardless maybe him and then the wild card that I'm gonna throw out there, but don't care long hair Don't care Griff dude, just just Part of the reason asking the question was to see if you would throw a grip in there. Yeah, he'll walk the ballpark he It might blow up in your face, but if you want a chance at someone who could like really pop back there

Stuff stupid. He's allowed two hits on the air. He threw it. He threw a no-hitter and like you threw 27 outs without allowing a hit in his first three starts So you got a factor that in now he is pitching a double a and the double a balls are given the triple a balls But yeah, I like I don't know this Joe Coon old guy he has like a two-way array I don't think he's much of anything the names that are interesting is Lazar Zunaga and De Geisse I think those are the three ones if we're if we're being serious but again it's really gonna be hold on to your bus until the deadline and I miss Jeff Hoffman. It's Carlos Hernandez be better it's it's

it's you know Jose Ruiz be better that's what really has to happen I miss Jeff Hoffman so much. I know so much My god, why couldn't he why couldn't he just fail one more physical? I know I know I come back home. I miss him. I miss him so much I know I don't care what a step as his era was the Royals I just don't I don't Even still I would take his time as over, you know I love the guys in this pen is is David Robertson. Is he alive? That is my thing. I think the fact that he's not signed right now is maybe they're saving the bullets

We'll say that's that's gonna be the bottom with them Rouske's a deadline record signing Robertsonon's Raggedby his best Deadline man Well, hold on. Hold on. Maybe it's a Pedro and oh nine situation. Oh, yeah. Sure. That's it. David Robertson Maybe pick a year. We win a World Series. Oh, no, we don't have any of this. All right Lineup wise quickly before you take back not so much to say because I think you know look I think I think you have to be happy with what you've seen the last week or so with the lamps since that's gone up the five six games whatever it's been um I mean they just the lineup looks better with this this kind of uh you know uh grouping in the lineup we've gotten production from

the big guys that harper's getting going Trey had a good weekend for the most part Obviously, you know short work continues to be awesome Start has been really good at the top. Cassiano's continues. Have a good year bro. Ah spin getting going you you want You want more from cap, but you know, I think you have to be really happy with some balls hard Doubles yeah. Yeah, but in know, I think you have to be really happy. Well, Cap hit some balls hard. Cap didn't have a good day today. Yeah, a couple doubles. Yeah, yeah. But in general, I think you're happy. Yeah, I think it's a shame.

Schwab was like just missing. I mean, he hit the ball yesterday. That was the farthest ball I've ever seen hit foul. I mean, that was on the third deck. Yeah, third deck. I didn't know. I've definitely never seen a third deck foul ball there. It was pretty stupid

You know as you know was what maybe there was a lot that made me excited by the line broke the weekend But the thing that that really made me happy is that Harper didn't have a wall scraper Like he absolutely demolished that baseball and I need to see him do that It was like this year like that. Yeah, we just launched it and And it's good to see him getting into a nice again. I think after his opening day home run he had had 13 home runs since Like August of last year like 13 total including the postseason and I just didn't I don't want to get to the point where he's a

Really good header like 285 to 300 type guy But it's 25 home runs instead of instead of 35 and it was just nice to see that kind of home run to where it's Like no, it's still there. It's still there Schwab is just missing Turner good weekend after we begged him for more than one hit He had two games where he had Yeah, a lot of infield hits but we don't care running it stealing bases, you know good good short Kepler Had the balls at heart was a Friday night was the two doubles or ever. He looked good that night And the Cassianus has been really good. I just overall I'm really fighting myself I'm gonna fight in myself a lot at the beginning of this year, just because I'm trying my damn

this not to get ahead of myself, not to get too high, not to get too low. It's borderline impossible. I help them too much. So I'm trying to do the, well, it was the Marlins thing a little bit because it was the Marlins. And now they smoke Sandy, but Sandy also hasn't totally been Sandy yet They they avoided they avoided Max Meyer. So Max Meyer has been one of the best pictures in the NL this year I mean what a win for the Fritz list with Meyer and Casey Mize. Yeah

To be having those two finally break out is what a win what a win But you know, I know that was the first and a third pick in a draft? Those guys, right? Myles was first in a draft and Meier, I think, was like second or third in his draft. Something like that. I mean, Meier was I think definitely top five and Torkelson to Torkelson is the Tigers. Tigers are one of my teams. Like I'm a Tiger. They're a fun team.

Yeah. So, you know, Rojas is a nice little spot here. All teams like I'm a tiger. They're a fun team. Yeah so You know Rojas is a nice little spot here. I thought actually Defensively today. He did a lot of little things well Which I need to see from him like I the throw on Friday night or whatever that was Thursday Was excruciating just not even close And he made some good throws that I had good mechanics on it. So that was good to see and You know, he's getting some buns down that are useful buns. He's hitting the ball the other way.

He's just flat out getting hits. Like he's playing some winning baseball. He flies so fast. It feels faster this year than he was. I don't know if that's possible, but he does. Can I give an update on something I'm also feeling with the team? Well, I do feel that there's a

Phantom I'll stand for Brandon Marsh and then it happened was that it well, they remember Remember it was first his knee and then all of a sudden it was a hamstring injury Little fishy I understand why Cal Stevenson was brought up. I was dying for Oscar Mercado, but it's alright He's on the 40 man. So I get it So I have I have two updated feelings on how the season is gonna play out one I think they're gonna hit rock bottom have to make real changes and and there's gonna need to be a shakeup Very exciting stuff. I know people are thrilled with that with that position. I'm lying people are really praying for yes Yeah, and this is all part of that way that'd be sweet this this is all part of the take back

So let's live what we just get right into it The I think Marsh's trade at the deadline and I think that they go out a Rojas Crawford in Centerfield bro, Austin Crawford platoon and Left field little auto camp and Max Kepler look at you. That's this is the Left this is the world. Do you like to look at bring the kids up give a little spark? Obviously like I I love Brandon Marsh. I I know he frustrates people and the strike house often knowing I hope he He seems like a great guy

You know it's up and you know, I hope he figures it out Like this is not wishing ill will on Brandon Marsh, but like, you know, I was thinking about it today I was like I wonder if they would I wonder if they would ever do that with a Crawford and center with Rojas Pair those two up that let there be a ton of speed and see if AutoKemp can handle left field with Max Kepler as a Now Weston Wilson will be up here soon. So it might be it might be a moot point point Yeah, but obviously he's a right hand at bat. I mean for real Well, Cody Clemens is just like I feel like every day Cody Clemens walks in to the clubhouse and Rob Thompson goes You're still here. I know

We do not need you get here again. You are you are you are you are a piece that doesn't fit man. I'm sorry. You're still here. I didn't who is that? Who is that? He asked? He asked the coletri my cleats every day. Who was wearing number two? Who? Can you tell me who that is? All right. Is Brian Snicker going to get fired? I mean, now they had a good weekend. So for those who didn't see it, Ronald

Acuna, so Jared Kalinick, I guess, Calinic, Calinic, thank you. Didn't run out of a play because he was admiring a ball and getting thrown out or in it being double or whatever. And they it was on Twitter Twitter someone commented on it and Ronda Cunha or a spot replied was like I would have gotten benched If it were me, it's like oh Hey now

Let's go In paradise. Yeah, I need the I could use a nice little one soda blow up in New York The standing ovation on Friday was embarrassing I could use a nice little one soda blow up in New York that the standing ovation on Friday was embarrassing The standing ovation on Friday was embarrassing. It's 19 games into a season. We at least we waited until August I mean, come on. Let's have some let's let's learn how to be fans Let's learn how to be fans again. Holy cow And then the the Acuna Acuna breakup with the Braves sounds so beautiful sounds so beautiful and I would love to see what love to see that haven't met this week, which is gonna be it's gonna be a pain

fun painful The meds are playing really well this yeah, they just Cardinals they want you know, they were up three not in a the Cardinals come back the med three and a half today. The Cardinals come back. The Mets pull away again. It's just like. Yeah, Lindor's not doing his usual start the season slow thing. He's just staying. And Alonso, too. I mean, the Soto thing's hilarious,

but their stars they already had have been awesome. Yeah, so it's going to be a painful, annoying, and hopefully exuberating week of baseball up in at City Field. There's gonna be real, almost the biggest juice since the team to beat stuff. I mean, like with Rollins getting booed and all that. I mean, it's so funny though, back in the day,

they all hated Rollins and Burl way more than any turn in not. Yeah, you're right. It's a good point. It was always Rollins. They always hated Rollins. So so should be a good juice for that. Please don't fall flat. Please don't lose to a three. Please don't. We'd die for two or three. And then desperately. Please don't please down we die for two or three and then

desperately, oh What a I mean? What a breath of fresh air Cole Hamels was in the booth. I mean, yeah fantastic Actual knowledge like not knowledge from from and this is no disrespect. It's just 70s 80s 90s I appreciate it but having like a guy that pitched in the modern era even up and like certain guys and been like yeah when I faced him that type of stuff you know yeah and like modern pitching stuff how that works I thought was fascinating

and him breaking down Lazardo I thought was great him talking about Chris Sanchez's change-up was was really good Oh, what what a breath of fresh air. What a breath of fresh air. It's just a great wasn't he's just good at it, you know wasn't a curmudgeon was just Happy to be there and provided real analysis. I was So fired up about cold or that that was great. Yeah, love it. All right Last thing let's give a shout out to the Miller light account of the week Kevin. I was written house love Kevin I was great spot

Today's Merrill life bar of the week is Kevin I was written house where you can watch all fill these games with four dollar Miller like canned specials go to Cavs written house calm. All right, so Fritzy, big series two or three. We'll be back obviously after it. Go enjoy your family. Happy Easter, happy Passover, happy everything to everyone, happy all of it. Well, the Phillies ruined Easter.

So- They did, dude. Just the other Pheonix birthday. So perfect. Just rude. I didn't birthday like it just. Oh, so perfect. Just rude, just rude. I didn't even see it coming. You know what? I'll I'll I'll take it if they win tomorrow against Mets. OK, please, please.

All right. Use it as motivation. Thank you. That's what I'm talking about. These guys are mentally tough. All right. Uh, until then, he's written.