High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - They Survived, But Bryce Can't Do That

Episode Date: September 10, 2024

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies' walk-off win over the Rays on Monday night and Bryce Harper's lack of hustle in the ninth inning. 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

Miller Lite, the official beer partner of your Philadelphia Phillies, is proud to serve as presenting sponsor of WIP's High Hopes Pod. So whether you're listening to the game, catching up on the latest High Hopes Pod, or at the ballpark, remember it tastes like Miller time, Phillies fans. Celebrate responsibly. Looking for a collaborator for your career? A strong ally to support your next level success? You will find it at York University School of Continuing Studies,

where we offer career programs purpose-built for you. Visit continue.yorku.ca. As the world's population grows, so does the need for resources like potash to support sustainable food production. This is why BHP is building one of the world's most sustainable potash mines in Canada. Essential resources responsibly produced. This is what BHP has committed to Canada. The future is clear. It's happening now at BHP, a future resources company. To discover how visit BHP.com slash better future. The one oh, swing and a ground ball through it's over. Cody Clemson Clemens wins it with a walk off single to right. And the Phillies beat the Rays two to one they come rushing out of the dugout.

Thank God welcome on in it is the final out sponsored by Regency furniture affordable never looks so good Jack Fritz hang out with you here on this Monday night reacting to a Phil's win that They escaped there was some drama. There was a Almost great play by Johan Rojas and some more controversy surrounding the one and only Bryce Harper. Let's get to the game wrap up sponsored by Blaser Swiss Lube and Crevice the Metal Working Fluid Specialists providing professional CNC machine cleaning coolant maintenance programs

and waste coolant disposal. Crevice.online 215-592-9494 to get in if you're stuck in traffic and we'd love to hear from you Obviously I was a tight ballgame one where the offense wasn't there and we have another hero Stepping up two one five five nine two ninety four ninety four to get in but the biggest takeaways the game brought to you by Morgan and Morgan America's largest injury law firm and it's like I just said, like they survived tonight. Tonight was not a master class. I'm ultimately I'm happy they got out of there with the win. Losing three straight, you know, having what happened on Saturday where Noel didn't have it. What happened yesterday where they just didn't show up to the ballpark. And then the offense just just downright struggling tonight.

I think there would have been a little bit like, what are we doing? What are we doing? The bad Phillies are back and I don't think tonight exactly made everyone feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but at least they at this point of the season, survive in advance. You're dealing with some injuries. We'll get to that coming up in a little bit but there they just have to survive tread water keep the The Mets and the Braves at bay and and lock up one of those one or two seats

Like it's all that matters at this point We we are in get to the postseason mode, but they have to do it in in the best possible way Mets win again tonight, so you know, it's still seven games Braves lose So they fall further behind and the Brewers are idle But again, not a great game like the offense was was pretty dreadful Schwaber stepped up in a big moment like, you know, giving them the lead obviously Rojas makes it an almost good Almost great catch and then Cody Clemens steps up big in a knife Like they they escaped but I think if you're one of the people that are worried about this offense or this coming offense

It's gonna hold them back and tonight didn't exactly call me down About that fear now they are banged up But at the same time there's enough guys in the lineup that the offense should be able to produce like that raised lineup They can't produce that's that is a Dreadful offensive team the Phillies should have enough there But it's gonna be bumpy like I just I have that feeling in my gut of This is this isn't over. They glad they won tonight You know they kept a little bit of a stiff arm on on on the Mets

But this doesn't feel over and and the way that the the offense kind of calmed down here the last couple games what they're dealing with Pitching might have to carry them for a little bit because it feels like we're gonna go through the one of these spells At just the wrong time, but again Cody Clemens continuing to serve a playoff roster I mean Cody Clemens has provided winning plays like that's a a winning ballplayer and then the buddy Kennedy I mean listen the fans chanting Buddy, but like it's beautiful, it's beautiful. Into Cody chants at the end of the game, like I would betcha, if you're driving home

listening to this, I would betcha that of the 40 some thousand at CBP tonight, maybe 5% new Buddy Kennedy was. So, you know, getting that going, he worked a professional at bat They grinded one out and ultimately they picked up Bryce. Let's get to the second biggest takeaway the game is Bryce just can't do that and and I know after the game, you know Rob Thompson said that he came up to him and apologized and he saw the the clip on NBC Sports, Philly

Bryce after the game talking to Rob Thompson saying it's on me and while I appreciate that, it's also not the first time this has happened. And when Bryce says yesterday after the game, like this is a race for the division and we're going for the division and you know, every game matters and then that happens, it's just like, come on man,

like it can't be both those things. And unfortunately, there's been more of that this year. And in that kind of spot, it's just like, I know you want to hit the awesome walk off home run, but you haven't hit a home run in a month and you've been struggling to drive the baseball. Like, in all likelihood, you probably didn't hit a home run there.

He smoked it. But if Bryce is healthy, that's probably a home run, but he's not healthy. So, in that moment, I think it goes further just sprinting and going second base rather than, I don't know, it's just, if it was the first time, I think we'd be able to excuse it away, but it's just like, it feels like once a month, we're having a conversation about this and the way he talked yesterday and him being one of the leaders of this team and and Him being a a lead by example kind of guy

Like that kind of stuff. It just it rubs people the wrong way It just does like that's a big moment you get on second base there and you just give it like listen they picked him up He was we were able to exhale he gets let off the hook a little bit You know, but still in that moment in that spot He asked to be better and I just hope it doesn't show up in a postseason game That's that's the big concern here is is it gonna show up at the wrong time and they could have lost tonight And I know people but well Castano struck out but who knows how that goes if if Bryce Harper is on second base like it just can't happen

and it's happened too many times this year and and I don't I would like to say I think he's gonna not do it anymore but I'm not sure it's it's part of the Bryce Harper experience is is you know, living up to the moment. And we're all about make baseball, you know, cool. He's part of that movement. So I know people are frustrated by it. I'm frustrated by it. I wish it wouldn't happen.

Can't happen that situation. But, you know, I still think the good continues that way, the bad Bryce. And I think that's one of the things you got to kind of live with. And the final thing here, and he is my player the game sponsored by South Jersey gas conserve Helping customers and the community save energy and money visit South Jersey gas Comm slash conserve and that is Chris Sanchez Chris Sanchez was brilliant tonight and he continues to just be

money at home and he's continuing. I think it's gonna be a talking point Yeah, I just do you know given how good he's been at home Like who gives you a better chance to win a game two at home? You know wheel is gonna give you a good chance in game one you feel great about that But Chris Sanchez is the RA it's under two at home And maybe like the one sevens at home either way like he was just dealing again tonight And he's in a nice little rhythm, you know fastballs Getting up to 96, but he's like getting up on guys and I just he's a real treat to watch pitch right now

And I think it's something they have to think about like Nola is a is a is a seasoned guy like I trust him on the road the difference between Chris Sanchez in the road and Chris Sanchez at home it's a couple blow-up starts in the road but there's enough there it hasn't really happened at home he's a different guy at home and he just continues to be an absolute steal that contract is gonna is gonna age really really well and he is just he continues to be underrated flying under the radar and just being a damn good pitcher for this baseball team to on five 592 94 94 to get in if you're stuck in traffic. We'd love to hear from you on the other side

We'll get to some injury stuff plus more light that stuff from one Philly. It's the final out on sports radio 94 w IP When you're working out at Planet Fitness, it's a judgment free zone so you can really step up your workout. That's why we've got treadmills. And our team members are here to help so you can be carefree with the free weights. They're also balance balls, bikes, cables, kettlebells and T-Rex equipment. But like, no pressure. Get started at Planet Fitness by September 13th for one dollar down and then only fifteen

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Don't just sit on the sidelines. Cash the ticket with us. Follow Cash the Ticket in the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. For his off the field efforts, here's his swing and a high drive deep right center, and that will untie the game. How's that for the first hit of the night? His 34th home run of the season into the upper bullpen and Kyle Schwab gives the Phillies a 1-0 lead as he's

done a lot in his Phillies tenure is Kyle Schwab are stepping up and hitting a big home run and he just continues to be kind of the heartbeat of the team you know when they need him chips a little bit down so Schwabr is always there to pick him back up so he's just he's just been a great signing and he's still one home run away from setting the the all-time record for leadoff home runs in a season he He's tied with Alfonso Soriano, and it'd be pretty disappointing at this point if he didn't get there, but either way,

Schwaber's hitting like some tanks too, like some real tanks. I mean, we always talk about June Schwaber. I mean, Schwaber in September, Schwab-Dember, I mean, I believe his OPS is over 1,500. Like, he's at a ridiculous, ridiculous start to September. I think that's his sixth home run in September. But regardless, just unbelievable stuff, per usual,

from Kyle Schwab and doing his thing. Let's go to the phones here. Let's talk to our guy, Blackgri. What's happening, BG? No, no. So I never had one. But I'd like to figure out how would you do an intervention for Bryce Like can we like get it like a thing together like this kind of it?

He's not on like he's like all vacation or something, right? Like he's making these mental errors What's the last time you hit a home run? Well exactly a month ago So I and we all know your greatness Bryce Like I know this this is every game counts and we've got a but you right now are not you like injuries aside whatever's wrong with him he's got to take a step back and he won't do it because he feels like he's got a lead and be a part of the team and he doesn't realize he's hurting the team does it here in the team or am I just crazy? Well he's hitting like 313 in this stretch and with an 820 OPS he's not killing them and they are 18 and 11 in that stretch but like a

Compromise you're getting a watered-down version of Bryce without the home It's just you and me right now. I'm talking about the vibes baby. How does it feel? Wow, it doesn't feel like Bryce It feels like if something's nagging you get it right for the postings Well, my hope is my hope is they're trying to just lock up the division, and then he can just sit the last week of the season. I think it's a mistake. I would try to get him as much time.

Like, him playing the whole game yesterday when they were getting blown out was a little much. I give him credit for battling through it. I think he gets credit for that. But I also want to make sure he's Bryce in the postseason I think that's what's being lost right now Yeah, and if we get that we get that first place position now more home games against Sanchez that home power juice Cuz he's a homeboy. I don't know what his bed must be comfortable

Because he's out here he'd be working and it's just good to see them fight through it and get the George W You know, I mean, I just I just want my guy rested. So so work on that intervention for me. No low I will got the air to people fix. I will appreciate the phone call BJ. There he goes and I will say I You know Rob Thompson I think has gotten heat in the last couple years of not being a guy that Will show emotion or does he hold these guys accountable, blah, blah, blah. You know, that was a, I mean, if you saw the clip of him when Bryce did it, it was probably the most emotion

I've seen outside of like a win from Rob Thompson in the dugout, he's usually pretty stoic, like he knows. And Bryce knows. And I just, it's such a tough thing because like on one hand, of course, run it out. You have to run it out in that situation. I also think that Bryce knows that as well.

So you just hope that he learns from it, and you hope that it didn't come back to bite them today. They picked him up. Sometimes baseball is about picking up your teammates, but I at least like that everyone was kind of on the same page of like that's not acceptable. It's not like they just they just You know shied away from it. It felt like Thompson Bryce Tom talked about after the game. I don't think Bryce has talked or I don't know if he will talk but like it seems like they're all kind of on the same page of that can happen and and

it seems like they're all kind of on the same page of that can't happen and and Again, it's important that he can be held accountable So that everyone in the clubhouse knows that that stuff is is not acceptable So hopefully everyone's better going forward but at the same time like it's happened a good amount this year now Tonight was probably the most egregious and I think it was the most that people saw So maybe it gets a little bit of a heightened sense of it was the most that people saw so maybe it gets a little bit of a heightened sense of it. The injury report is sponsored by the Plumbers Union Local 690 protecting the health of the nation visit visit plumber's 690.org and there was a this injury report is continuing to kind of grow here now if Stavis took a ball off

the knee which like he finished off that inning credit to him that's gonna hurt tomorrow. I don't think he's gonna be available tomorrow so Estevez smoked off the knee and we'll see where he's at but I don't think he's gonna be good to go tomorrow. Boam said before the game that he's getting over his last hurdle apparently and but he also talked about how in the last week it felt like a hammer has been hitting his wrist, which again, we talked about this in High Ops today. By the way, if you're ever looking for a Phillies podcast, check out High Ops.

It's just me and Seltzer nerding out about baseball all the time. The way they talk about injuries has been so frustrating this year because it's like, it's always, yeah, he's fine. He was back in the clubhouse, he was fine, he'll be back in there tomorrow or maybe the next day. And then all of a sudden they're on the IL. It's why this JT thing. So JT also is banged up. You know, he missed a couple games over the weekend, some swelling in his right knee, and Rob Thompson said today he could play by the start of the Mets series. And at this point, I'm like, I don't believe that.

I assume now the worst with these Philly's injuries. But they're starting to pile up. The offense, I mean, when the bottom of the lineup is, now Clemens obviously had the big hit tonight, which we appreciate, but he was in a little bit of a slump. But Clemens, Clemens Clemens Stubs and Rojas is not exactly the most inspiring Bottom of the lineup, but obviously Cody Clemens came up big tonight and they got some contributions again I mean like Weston Wilson ground up

But like he's being Thompson's being more aggressive with with shuffling some guys in and out of that thing and obviously Let's Cody in there and Cody did a job. Let's go to Jack in Westchester. What's happening, Jack? Let's go it all, Fritz. First things first, if you remember, gosh, it must have been about 10 years ago at this point. Westtown leads you in American Express team.

I was the second baseman. You were one of our assistant coaches Did I scream leader of men? You know what you might have like I said, it's been a while but Anyways, I'll continue the Bryce Harper conversation Listen, what was it good not running out that ball? No, I'm not happy about it, but I'm not worried about it in the long term. What I am more worried about in the long term is that elbow or whatever is bothering him right now. I mean, listen, I know back in 2022 he went into that postseason and ended up literally going

off, but I mean I'm just worried about him long term if he just continues to get banged up year after year I don't know and just for this postseason I trust that he'll figure it out but I don't know it is starting to be a little bit of a concern for me. Well I think the thing that's tough about this one like the hit in the face and hit in the hand like that's kind of as control But it's kind of like in bead now The difference between him and in bead is that he's gone off in the postseason and bead hasn't really done that But it is a lot of little things my my bigger concern overall

Bryce like long-term health wise continues to be to be the back because of how how violent he swings But yeah, I mean it seems like every single year around this time. He's dealing with something heading into the postseason It's funny. I mean he's been again He people hate when I bring this up because people don't like numbers But he has the ninth highest OPS in the history of playoff baseball He's done it with a with a torn Tommy John ligament in 2022 and a wrist problem in 2022 and then a Recovering Tommy John last year. So I'm with you. Like, it's definitely, like, people mock him for the contract thing.

But it makes you worried about, like, the idea of extending him. And I just hope that we can get a really fully healthy Bryce year, because this year felt like it was going to be an MVP. And then he pulled his hamstring, has not hit a home run since injuring his wrist and stuff. It stinks. Yeah, I mean, hopefully. I mean, this year I'm not necessarily completely concerned,

like I said, it's just down the road. I'm slightly concerned. But I was down at the ballpark tonight, vibes were awesome. The Buddy Chance were just amazing. The Cody Chance following it up were just amazing. It was good vibes all around for the most part. Well they needed to win, Jack, and I appreciate the phone call. Listen, when I was assistant coach on 13U,

Legion Baseball, we would not have stood for the Bryce Harper, not Oswald, and the Knife. It would have been pulled immediately, pulled immediately, and that's called accountability. D, I wanna talk about a guy who is continuing to really shine and develop into a really, really key member of this bullpen, and it continues to bear out as Orion Kirkering.

I mean, it was a fast inning. He's had a couple of these where it's just a fast inning. It's just bang. Orion Kirkering's just out of it. And he's done such a nice job. He's in a good spot with that sweeper where he can try to bury it and really get on top of it and add some spin to it to get to get a strike out or

He can just try to get you can just flip it in there for strike one like he's doing a much better job of like Varying the looks of that pitch on top of obviously the fastball But like I think his last 10 appearances he hasn't allowed to run and when you when you start piecing together this bullpen You start seeing you know Who are guys you can trust in October. I think you're starting to feel much better about a lot of these guys than you were a month ago.

Strong was in his moment, Hoffman had a moment where he was struggling, Estevez when he got here, and still not lockdown, but I think Kirk Herring's development. I really like what I've seen from Jose Arreiz. I just, I can't pull the trigger on this as a high leverage guy, but hey, if they have a one run lead in the sixth or the fifth of a playoff game, and you want to go get one of the starters, I think Jose Arreiz, I trust more than I don't heading into that kind of spot. So hopefully I have a rod hoking turn around, but like you're starting to see the makings of a of at least a pretty competent bullpen here for the

Phillies and Ryan Kirkering is a huge huge part of that 215-592-94-94 to get in with your phone calls on the other side plus the play of the game and a look ahead tomorrow all on the final out before handing things off to Jody Mack here on sports radio 94 WIVA. The 1-0 swing and a ground ball through it's over. Pote Clemens wins it with a walk off single to right. And the Phillies beat the Rays 2-1 they come rushing out of the dugout. What a moment welcome on back it is the final out sponsored by Regency Furniture Affordable never looked so good Jack Fritz hanging out with you on this Monday night reacting to a Phil's win of course the Cody Clemens walk off the

play of the game sponsored by Mike's amazing the official mayo and mustard the Phillies and I continue to feel good for Cody Clemens he gives off real winter vibes and he continues to remind me of Greg Dobbs. He's gonna beat Dobbs 2.0 for this Philly team and what I like about Cody Clements in a perfect, well, yes, obviously this is like not the biggest take in the world. In a perfect world, he's not starting in the postseason, but man, like for a guy like Johan Rojas and they're stuck in a situation like they were in game seven last year, being able to bring a guy like him off the bench that can work in at bat, that has a bit of a clutch gene, that you feel like he's gonna, again, put together a professional at bat.

That kind of stuff just matters, continues. Continues to work his way into a playoff roster spot. And then, again, we'll see how Mundo looks when he comes back. I assume he's going to be fine. Like there's some makings of a pretty decent bench here. I wonder if, listen, Buddy Kennedy, don't let Buddy Kennedy heat up. Obviously Austin Hayes on the mend.

I don't know, Weston Wilson has really cooled off since his little run about two weeks ago. But either way, just Cody Clemens continuing to impress. I think the more he starts, the more he's gonna get exposed. But at least as a bench player, as someone who these guys I think rally around and trust, I just, I continue to trust Cody Clemens.

It was funny during the break, I was talking to Francisco and I feel like, so I coached a 13 year old Legion team. And I feel like all they, they just call me now, which is hilarious, because now, that was again, that was about 10 years ago at this point. And I just remember one thing, he was talking about accountability, I only asked for one kid to throw at someone,

but we were getting like 10 run and they stole a base and if you know the unwritten rules of baseball someone's gonna wear it and My other coaches shut it down. Yeah, you know, someone's got this let the kids be kids Realized only one person was there for accountability Francisco Francisco that was me and that was totally me 255-929 494 Matt's in Easton what's happening that How you doing I was at the game with my grandparents and my girlfriend and just going off what Jack said You know citizens bank just continues to be electric

Even in close games like this, you know The baths aren't really doing what we wanted to be doing until the sixth inning, Schwerber hits that shot. But man, when that happens, everybody's up on their feet and roaring. Yeah. Um, and even in, in the close games, you know, at the end, when, you know, we get the, we get the bases loaded, and he was talking about how we got the Buddy Kennedy champ going,

and they flow into the Cody Clemens champ. It's just so much fun being there in person, you know, being able to experience that. Yeah, and it's, it's, it's part of what makes the ballmens chance. It's just so much fun being there in person, you know, being able to experience that. Yeah. It's, it's, it's part of what makes the ballpark special. It's just a special, special place where this team is playing good. Yeah. And I think the game tonight as well shows, you know, the games you have to win when you're wanting to win a championship, you know, championship contenders aren't going out there winning every game and nothing they're needing to win those dog fights. Christopher Sanchez putting out a battle tonight, showing out again.

Six strong innings, Kirkland coming out, strong outing, Hawkins coming in. Estevez gave up the shot, but man, Rojas was supposed to not letting that happen. And then just battling through all the way. It's just, that's what a championship team does and that gives me inspiration and gives me hope for the postseason. Yeah, I'm with you man and offensively would have obviously liked more, especially coming off of yesterday. Now you are going from a different tier pitching wise. The Marlin staff, dreadful. This Rays staff, even they their offense is dreadful

It's definitely a step up pitching wise, but yeah, I just Not every game is gonna be perfect like it's it's it's baseball Maybe tomorrow they come out and score five or six they should because tomorrow is Taj Bradley versus Rangers for his Taj Bradley has some stuff. He's got just enough stuff to shut the fills down for six innings, and it becomes infuriating. And I almost don't want to put out his ERA in his last six starts, because it automatically means he's going to shove.

But last six starts for Taj Bradley, a 9.2 ERA. So I think we all know what that means. Six innings of shut up baseball. But yeah, Rangers forward is looking to continue to build on some good starts here coming back from the IL only blip was his start before last. He was really good down in Miami. Again, I started to extend him a little bit. And I'm continuing to be curious about what his roles will be in the postseason. As it would shake out right now, he's my fourth starter,

which is crazy considering that he was the National League Cy Young favorite for the first, I don't know, two months of the season. Obviously, we know how long the season is, but he's the number four right now. Do they try to work him in bullpen spots? I have no idea. They can get creative with Ranger,

but looking at the guys of the left-handed options out in the bullpen He Alvarado's more of a question mark than not Tanner Banks. They've been putting him in little leverage spots. He's been alright I don't know if I trust him in a big spot. Maybe that's something for Ranger if he's training towards him not being Not needing him out of the in the rotation I don't know but something definitely to look at but either way he goes tomorrow versus Taj Bradley is hopefully the Phillies can close out A series has been nice They have been winning the first game of series in the last in the last little bit

Which is what they were doing you got to get the first one out of the way so that the the tension is kind of eased The rest of series knowing that you only got to win one more, but either way that's gonna do it for me Thanks for hanging out Cody Clemens the hero tonight Francisco Rojas produced the program tonight and Jody Mack who last year I handed it off to with the Jets on Monday night football after Aaron Rodgers Tours and I was producing you were producing so we're doing the same thing again except the Jets are Still the Jets now Aaron Rodgers is healthy thing again except the Jets are still the Jets. Now Aaron Rodgers is healthy and I appreciate the Alan Zard touchdown for gambling purposes

but we are handing things off to Jody Mack coming up next. We'll see if he can contain himself as the Jets are currently losing by 13 and the Niners are driving but either way that's going to do it for me. I'll be back tomorrow before the game with leading off and after the game as well. Reacting to hopefully another Phil's win, but thanks for hanging out Enjoy joining Mac for the rest of the night here on sports radio 94 WI-P