High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - We're a One Day at a Time Podcast

Episode Date: September 25, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the 4-game sweep of the Mets, Orion's debut, and much more. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All-star closer, Kenley Jansen, we have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball Isn't Boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago and is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is.

Another fact, so jump aboard the B.I.B. Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High hopes. It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies on Odyssey and Sports Radio 94. WIP.

No. It is another edition of the High Ops podcast. Jack Fritz. Eight out of 10 in September? Sweeping the Mets in September? In September? We wanted to fast forward, Jack. I'm really happy we didn't.

I'm enjoying myself. What is this? Like, we're just going to cruise to the four seed. Like, no problem. Cool. Like, what are we watching? They brought up our guy. Like, what is happening right now?

This is not how things normally go Jack Fritz How you doing pal? I'm doing great This is a It's weird right? It's so weird In a season where things have been just off You know what I mean? Like the 12 straight road wins

JT hitting for the cycle Like Bryce Harper calling out Chuck from Mount Airy The ovations turning a career around. Yeah, it's been weird, man. What's going on? The absolute weirdest is that they're just playing normal baseball. Just winning games. They're handling business.

I feel like that was of all of them, because they knew they couldn't clinch going in. It was like, alright, everyone else won. You cannot clinch this game tonight. It was like, alright, this game is kind of just like, eh, just like there. They won three in a row in this series. It was like a stone cold mortal loss

of a baseball game, and they just won, like no problem. It was so weird, dude. It was so weird. Although I am mad at Rob Thompson because I needed a Kimbrel save to break a tiebreaker in a fantasy baseball championship. Oh, no, dude. You're giving me Lorenzen? Oh, dude.

After we're done, I got to break down this whole tiebreaker for my fantasy championship. Dude, dude. After we're done, I got to break down this whole tiebreaker for my fantasy championship. Dude, yeah. And, you know, the first two games were just like, you should be playing a little bit better against this Mets team. Like, they're kind of just dragging their feet to the finish line. Yesterday was just like, we're going to show up and win. It's kind of what we do now in September.

It's all we do in September. We do, man. And I was just so happy because I checked it. I checked it like yesterday morning it's like oh man they're like two games over 500 in september and like now they're three they're like 13 and 10 it's like and it feels like they're undefeated it feels like they're playing the best month of baseball they've ever had that's what i feel like right now and this is all i want like i just all i wanted was was to not do the thing where they're backing their way in where it's like please lose Cubs please lose Diamondbacks like a scoreboard watching all this

stuff I wanted a nice kick our feet up we don't have to like make the last two weeks this like incredibly stressful experience like they're just normal it's like it's the end of a baseball season I felt this last year after they lost or or after they, sorry, after they won in Houston, like those last two games, where it was like, I feel nothing. Like, that's weird. That's weird feeling nothing. But like, we're almost to that point where I don't care who wins and loses this game. Now, you do, because I need to hit you over.

Two more, buddy. Two more, man. I need 90. I do need 90. 90 would be nice, right? You know what? They deserve 90. They should be a 90-win club.

They are better than last year, 87. They're at the point they were last year. They're at least as a regular season team. They were amazing in the playoffs last year. They are a way better baseball team right now than they were last season. They are. They are. Now, obviously, the big question mark is going to be the rotation.

Of course. And the fact that there is any question about Christopher Sanchez starting a playoff game, like, what are we doing here? He should be starting the second game. He should be your game two starter. He has easily been their second best player. Like, he's closer to Wheeler than anyone else is to him in terms of one, two, three. In terms of how they pitched this season.

But. But. But. It's not going to happen. I will say though, he's got, so, he's got their best changeups since Hamels. I mean, it's one of the more devastating pitches I've seen this year.

He got 10 strikeouts on him yesterday. Dude, my buddy, so my buddy Teddy, my best friend's first grade, huge Mets fan, he texted me last night and he goes, who the hell is this guy that pitches one of the best pitches in baseball? And I was like, it might be. Like, it is one of the better pitches I've seen this season in terms of consistency and ability to throw it any count and obviously get strikeouts.

It's been a, It's a nasty pitch. Well, I mean, he's racked up. I mean, against the Braves, he had 10 strikeouts. Yeah, he just got 10 again. He got 10 again the other day. He's just good. He's just good. It's as simple as that.

He's just good. He's calm. He does have that kind of rangerish vibe of just being very calm on the mound when he gave up that homer. It's like, all right, no big deal. Just get more outs. It doesn't feel like he gets – he's kind of unflappable. Yeah.

And, you know, the big change for him, obviously, is that he came up throwing 97, but he had no idea where the ball was going. And now it's like he can just command it. Like, the changeup is, like, Brogdon's is obviously one that comes to mind when he thinks of the better changes. But, like, from the left side, you think about Hamels, and then it's like Chris Sanchez is right there. It's not something I thought that he had.

Didn't he even mention Chris Sanchez and Cole Hamels in the same sentence ever about anything? It's the same kind of changeup. It's so many swings and misses on a changeup because it basically pretty much has sinker movement with a changeup of grip to it. Like, it's that nasty of a pitch. And I just, I hope, obviously, to get to the wild card round, whatever,

I want to see what he does in a playoff start. Because I just trust him now. And if they get through that, they'll see, like, does he start moving up in the rotation? Does he turn into, like, a guy you can count on in the future, which is, you know, the thrilling possibility. But for the right now i just and look thompson last night for the first time acknowledge that at least there's a chance really this guy might get a start no way i'm so proud of you buddy it's just like i don't know how you can watch these guys and look and

also like if i'm a player on the team if i'm bryce harper if i'm trey turner if i'm whatever like i stand behind these guys every game. I watch them pitch. I know that Christopher Sanchez is better than Tywon Walker. I know it. I see it every freaking game. How do you tell those guys, no, we're going to go with the worst guy? Because he costs more money.

He's a starter. He's Tywon Walker. How do you do that? It is so clear to anyone watching that Christopher Sanchez is a better pitcher right now. I just find that hard to sell, Jack, if you're in that clubhouse. Yeah, and honestly, I'm not too worried about it. You think they'll start Sanchez? They're going to start Sanchez.

Okay, good. Look at you. Look at this. I told you that the second that they came out and was like, no, Tywon Walker's... Stop. No, he's not. No, he's not. They no, he's not like, they have to have eyeballs down there.

Um, like he's just, Christopher Sanchez is just a, a very, like the fact that the fact that he's there five, like for all intents and purposes, for all intents and purposes. And then you start thinking again,

I know the season's still going on right now and they can, I love how you do it. You're the king of looking ahead while we're in a moment. The fact that they could have Chris Sanchez as their fifth starter for however long, and then you can piece, mule the rotation around him. It's so valuable. Yeah, it is. I think Ranger's better next year when he has more of an offseason and gets used to it.

But the rotation going forward in a very, very good spot. Now they need a second ace. And also, it's a good thing that Christopher Sanchez is this because you've got three more years of 60 million or whatever for Tywon Walker, 62 million, 64 million. Unless he can get out of it. Yeah, it's true. He could, theoretically.

I mean, they could attach something to it and try to get off Tywon Walker. I hope they do. I mean, I could use that money going elsewhere. could attach something to it and and try to get off town walker and i hope they do i mean like i just i could use that money going elsewhere um and i just like i don't know if he's gonna get any better from this point like you know i think this kind of is what it is um but just beautiful just uh the christopher sanchez experience but i mean there was a cool precursor to what happened in the eighth i mean oh i mean who cares about let's be honest right dude so first and foremost you know we joke a lot you know we do the whole like oh clearly

they listen to iops pod the phillies obviously they're listening they're doing this it's always been a bit phillies might listen to the house pod i mean they brought a ryan kirkering up like what is going on dude dude? It's happened. We did this. This is us. Everyone involved in this podcast, everyone who's listening right now, you did this. You're welcome. We did this.

It was wild, too. It's like, everyone was in the ballpark last night, perfectly aware of, like, this guy could be something special, which is fun. And I mean, you know, you know what I was feeling it, buddy. Oh, the dad. Oh, how many emotional moments can I handle oh my gosh no one's got a quicker trigger on tears than James Seltzer let me just say something

make sure you're listening neighbor Dan I hope you're listening this video yearbook this year boys oh my goodness I can't wait you're so excited you're so excited yeah you've always been a video yearbook guy but like it was just so funny You're so excited. You're so excited. You're a yearbook guy. Yeah, you've always been a yearbook guy. Always. But it was just so funny because it did feel like they all got,

I don't think this is how it went down, but I envisioned them all huddling around in a room and they said, you know what? It really is insane we're not bringing him up to at least be in the Marte, Belotti role and just see how he does. Yeah. Just see how he does. And I don't know. Did that look pretty good last night?

Dude, it was freaking... We don't have that guy ever. Ever. Ever. Ever. Ever. The swing... I forget who it was, but who's the last batter?

They fazed the slider. Whatever. I haven't seen many lefties with that feeble of an attempt. The swing, I forget who's the last batter, they fazed the slider, whatever. I haven't seen many lefties with that feeble of an attempt off of one of our pitchers. Against a right-hander, no less. That's against a lefty and you just see they can't see it at all. That's what it looked like. It looked like that kind of swing. Against a right-hander, you never see that.

He barely even threw his fastball. His fastball is 100 like you throw it 100 it's just so again there's just it's like it could have legitimately the bringing up of a ryan kirk ring legitimately could have raised the ceiling on this team from maybe just making a division round to being in the World Series again. That's what that kid has. A lot of people brought this up. You'd remember better than I would, but K-Rod in 0-2. Oh, yeah, absolutely. For the Angels, yeah.

Brought up at the end of the year. Absolutely. He was a big difference maker for them. Big time. And the Phillies, and we've criticized them for this, did not go out and get another arm at the deadline. And the Phillies, and we've criticized them for this, did not go out and get another arm at the deadline. And I kind of felt like that was going to be something that was going to hold this team back from being as good as they could be. But you might not have traded for a pitcher better than that.

Like, dude, he had a 1-5-4 ERA through five four levels this year or whatever. I mean, just the fact that he's in the majors right now tells you what kind of special. First barber guy. Really? I love that. Like, but seriously,

what kind of special stuff this kid has to rock? Like guys don't rise through the majors like that in a season. Like you don't go from a to the majors. Like that is so rare to do that. And he beat Jackson holiday. Yeah. Who's better? Who'd you rather build your team around?

Ryan Kirk or Jackson Holiday? Good question. Thank you. Always asking the important questions. Yeah. Yep. Dude, it's so funny, too, because you look at, what, a 5.370, all right, at USF? It's just, like, that's when, like, college production matters sometimes, but, like, stuff ultimately just matters.

At the end of the day. Wait, wait, wait. Which is what we were shouting from the mountaintops for years. Hey, but stuff ultimately just matters. At the end of the day. Wait, wait, wait. Which is what we were shouting from the mountaintops for years. Hey, just get guys with stuff. We'll figure it out. You know the craziest part about him? Is he doesn't walk anyone. Yeah.

I think he had six walks this year. It's crazy. Or seven. He's got 100 with a white-bound slider. He's got a slider in minor league baseball this year. What are we talking about? But, like, legit, like, they... So, Sir Anthony struggles still.

Hoffman, like, believe, but haven't seen. Haven't seen it. Also, he's thrown a lot of innings this year. Like, we saw how that can catch up with people last year. I mean, Alvarado, it did catch up with him at the end. You know, so you hope that we just don't... Like, it's one of those things with Hoffman where I trust him completely, but I won't be shocked if his arm just gives out at a certain point, you know? And the truth is, I mean, I know he had-

It's not like he's pitched in big spots either. No. You know? No, no, no. You're saying with Kirkring, we're like, just bring him up and put him in big spots. Like, Hoffman hasn't really had many big spots either. No. And then there's Kimbrell, who just has been okay for a good stretch here.

I keep waiting for him to be bad, and you're right. He's not bad. He hasn't been bad. He's been okay. He's been okay. He's been okay. I don't think he had a louder run or something, like 14 appearances, which didn't feel right. And then, of course, home run over the weekend.

I was like, yeah, there's nature. But it allowed us to get a walk-off, so it worked out. Of course. It's all about it. Craig just wanted it to be a fun night for everybody at the ballpark, you know, which I appreciate. You know what? I just realized that cost me a freaking fantasy championship.

Oh, no. Damn it. Oh, my God. Because you were thinking about yesterday, but not thinking about if that had just happened before, it wouldn't have needed yesterday, you would have already had it. Oh, my God. That is a real kick in the junk. Oh,ion's here orion orion is here um yeah so uh it's just like it was one of those moments where you could just tell instantly that we might have something

like i don't want to steal your word but magical yeah buddy use it it. Say it. It had that magical... Now, obviously, this is one of those moments where you start going into Jack's brain, which is, again, dangerous, dangerous, dangerous spot to be in. Scary place to be, yes. But he did that inning last night,

and I was watching the videos of it, and I was like, this feels like a World Series DVD. It just did. I don't know who feels like a World Series DVD. Like, it just did. and it's like, I don't know who's going to narrate it this year. Last year, I think,

was Schwarber, or maybe he did 2021. But like, whoever narrates it. You think it'd be Elliot, just narrating the whole thing? it's Elliot. Or maybe it's us.

Could you imagine? What a thought. What a thought. Yeah. But, no, it's probably Trey. It's probably Trey.

That would make sense. Yeah. Trey makes a lot of sense. I mean, they let him speak at Fan Appreciation Day yesterday, which's probably Trey. It's probably Trey. That would make sense. Trey makes a lot of sense. Um, I mean, they let him speak at a fan appreciation day yesterday, which was cool. Yeah.

Thank you for all you've done for me and my family. Dude. No problem. No big deal. I got it. Yeah. Yeah. No,

but like I was just envisioning Trey narrating the video yearbook and him being like, you know, we were heading down the stretch around September and then we saw Orion and it was like, you know, we were heading down the stretch around September and then we saw Orion. And it was like, we just had this belief in the clubhouse of like, we just added a legitimate weapon to the back end of our bullpen to make them that much better. So I've already written out the words for him. I can tell.

That was way too like, you know, lyrical and well-written for you to just come up with that on the spot. There's no doubt. That was strong work by you. Thank you. But it is, it is, it's, it almost feels a little weird, like, because I don't really remember, certainly as a Phillies fan, none, but like moments where someone comes up in September and to your point, you can feel it where you're like, oh, this guy could, could matter this year. Dude, it felt like the ballpark felt it too.

Well, that's the crazy thing. That's what I got. The ballpark felt it. Twitter felt it. Dude, it felt like the ballpark felt it too. Well, that's the crazy thing. That's what I got. The ballpark felt it. Twitter felt it. Everyone felt it. I thought, again, I thought it was just us and our people. Yes, obviously. I was like, no one else knows who this guy is.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But everyone was just like, dude, this guy's nuts. It was weird. I'm very happy, but I was like, I'm more proud than weird. I'm very proud that everyone could feel the Orion Kirk. I know. I didn't anticipate that. No, dude.

Again, I remember you showing me that video. We did the pod and you're like, I got to show you this video. Like it was in Take Back and you brought them up. It was the beginning of the season and you brought them up and I remember you showing me the video and me just being like, whoa.

Like, whoa, dude. But like at no point when, and when we were talking about it recently, it was more of a I think they should bring this guy up. Like, it makes all the sense in the world. You know, why wouldn't you do this? But I didn't actually think it was going to happen. Like, I didn't actually think throughout this whole time that we would be sitting here talking about him, what he did last night, and the fact that he could make a difference in the postseason.

I hoped it. Jack, I didn't actually think it was going to happen. Yeah, me either. Right? Me either. Right? Because now I guard myself against getting too excited about prospects because no one forgets what I've said about prospects because it feels like they'll because uh no one forgets what i've said that's true about prospects yes um so like i just i was like i don't like i i just i can't go too

overboard because like whatever we've been burned so much in the past um but he he was everything i think we all could have wanted and more. And again, it's like there's a part of me that was like, well, how didn't they bring him up earlier? And then I was thinking, I wonder if they kept him down so that there wasn't a huge book on him heading into the postseason. Oh. That's super fascinating. It was still a bit of an unknown.

That's a really interesting point. Yeah. Because I'm sure they knew. Obviously, they knew. They brought him up. They knew the whole time, obviously. And he didn't have to go to AAA. No. There was no reason for him to pitch in AAA.

None. They talked about the baseballs. Once he did in AA, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, you could just tell. Yeah. And I was like, maybe they didn't bring him up because they wanted to be more of an unknown. It's a really fascinating thought. Yeah.

It could be. Why not? Look, at that point, if you don't think he necessarily needs... And again, it doesn't feel like he needs... His stuff doesn't need to prove anything. His stuff, they knew his stuff was going to play at the major league level. If you trust this kid to be able to kind of have less opportunity to get in front of a big crowd and do it before the playoffs, let teams see him as little as possible. It does make logical sense.

They brought him into the eighth inning of a 5-2 game. Yeah, 5-2 game. When you're still trying to clinch, it wasn't like we already clinched, let's get this kid to work. That was a moment. That was a spot at home against the freaking Mets, no less. I know they're not great this year, but we hate the Mets. It wasn't not a spot. It wasn't the sixth inning of a you're losing 5-2. You know what I mean? Well, then they went Lorenzen for the

ninth. I know. So, full disclosure, I was rooting for a couple runs. So you could get Kimball. It makes sense. I get that. But I was glad it was easy, done, over, via, see you Mets. that was the first time it felt like it was gonna be because like i have no faith in lorenzen right now obviously we've all watched

him this pitch recently but i i just knew they were just gonna mow him down like that's where matt it's like oh they got this well the match just kind of gave up yeah like once they lost they got eliminated and not that they were still fighting for it but you know like you know it's a little deflating. It is, of course it is. At least Nimmo is still sprinting to first base. At least he's still doing that. Oh, he's so annoying. Oh, he's the worst. The worst. He's the worst.

At least he had a down year after getting $120 million. Shocking. I know. You couldn't have predicted that one, right? Yeah, look, it's just nice to beat the Mets, too, after last year. You know, it's just like... And we got swept by them the first series this year. I think people forget that.

I don't. That day game up in New York where I was like, this might not be the year. And then they've turned around. And now we're just a carefree September. Of course. Just rolling through the month of September.

Of course, that's what we do. Just easy. All right. Who else through the month of September. Of course, that's what we do. Just easy. All right. Who else? Anything else from what you've seen since we last spoke in terms of pitching? Like the Taiwan thing we don't need to talk about, but Ranger wasn't great. Believe it or not, Taiwan did not inspire some confidence. We all know how we feel.

Ranger wasn't great. You know, got through battle, but it wasn't a great outing from Ranger. How you, because I feel like you've've kind of it's really been all year i know he's great in june but really you know the vast majority of the year ranger's just kind of been off for you you know what i mean like it feels like whenever i talk to you about ranger you just you're always a little unsure you're never quite you know you don't know that he's gonna get back to where he needs to be where you have with ranger yeah but i don't know. With Ranger, I don't know. He's in that mode now where I think he's close.

I thought before he got hurt, I was like, he's far. He's like away. He's done. But he is closer than, I think he's closer being the guy that we saw in June than not being the guy that we saw in June. So I think there's still a chance for him to go on a run in the postseason because he was pitching pretty well before the last two. And I do think the command solidarity is –

the thing about Ranger is like, I don't know. I just – he almost feel – it almost feels like he just wants the regular season to be over too so he can flip the switch in the postseason. And just be that guy. That's what I saw against the Mets. It looked like a just get me through the start rather than I need to go out there and dominate,

which is hard to quantify, but that's just how I generally felt after watching him. I still mostly trust him. I feel pretty good about Ranger. And then some of the bullpen things, I thought that was the best. It looks like Sir Anthony went back to I like, I need to strike everyone out guy rather than worry about his command.

Because going from the command over stuff guy has led to more home runs. And I think now he didn't. It was very shaky. I'm not saying it was easy. But at least he had some. And that was a bit, you know, he got through it He got through it, and it was a tense situation for him. And that was a big strikeout at the end, too. And it looked like his stuff had some bite to it.

Exactly. So it looked like he got back to, no, I'm going to just try to go out there and strike everyone out. Which is what I would like in the postseason. Because I think that those spots kind of matter. So that was semi-encouraging, but still I wish it was more he could throw a strike rather than not throw a strike. But he generated a good amount of whiffs.

One guy, I just don't want to say it. I don't want to say it. I really don't. I'm just telling you what the eye is telling me. Jose? No, no, no. Jose's back. I figured. I was confused there. I don't want to say it. I really don't. Uh-oh. I'm just telling you with the eyes telling me. Is that Jose? No, no, no. Okay. Jose's back.

I figured. I was confused there. He's 100% back. Okay. Starting to believe in Gregory Soto. Ooh. I think he struck out like 15 in his last 11 innings or something. Really?

He's finally striking guys out at the same time. He does allow the inexplicable home run, which is annoying. But the stuff, you could see it. Eye test wise, it's there. It just looks a little different. He looks a little bit different. I'm tentatively

buying a little bit of Gary Soto stock. Okay. I mean, look, again, the dude's got stuff. He can just kind of throw strikes and not give up an inexplicable home run. He's pretty freaking nasty. Well, yes. I mean, him and Serenity both have that ability this year to give up the home run. They do not have to.

You don't have to do that. No, no, no. You're allowed not to. And then I thought the outside of a Ryan Kirkering debuting and thus changing our entire season. And lives. Lives in the Delaware Valley. Potentially changing families. Maybe children who weren't supposed to be born will be born.

All kinds of stuff. That's what his debut last night against the Mets in September did. We have a lot of Orion Kirkering babies coming. Yeah, for sure. I'm sure. I thought the most significant thing that happened with the bullpen

over the weekend was the amount of times that Rob Thompson put Jeff Hoffman on Pete Alonzo. And Jeff Hoffman rewarded him by getting him out

both times in pretty crucial situations. Yeah, you're right. That's an interesting point. And that's something that I think going into the postseason, him being able to do it then, not as high stakes, but still a good hitter.

Still, I guess, fine. Pete Alonso. Hope he enjoys the Brewers next year. Ooh. I mean, he's probably getting traded. You think so? I don't know. There's been a lot of talk about Pete Alonso.

Well, obviously, David Cern, some connections to the Brewers. Sure. Could be some moves made between those two teams. Just as long as they don't get my guy Jackson or you know or Corbin Burns

right I would rather them get Corbin Burns than because he's my now he's my top prospect in fantasy got it

he's the future I trade my trout for him oh wow it looks like a good trade I trade a lot I traded like Arenado

trout a lot yeah i got you yeah big investment oh wow yeah no i i shredded my whole team to get yes so i do not need him to be a met either way i agree with them they won't get him because he's a superstar and delonzo's just a guy yeah that's a great point just a guy guy. He's just a guy. Nerd, dude. Yeah, total. So, but yeah, like Hoffman in those situations. And this is, again, a growing time for Rob Thompson. I just tell how proud I am of him. He didn't extend them.

You know, he just said, Jeff, go get me, Pete Alonzo, and you're done. I'm not going to put you back out there. What a beautiful thing. Yeah. I know it's a high emotional spot. I know it's hard for you and hard for most pitchers. To get back up. To get back up after you go and you strike out Pete Alonzo or pop up Pete Alonzo.

So just sit on the bench. You did your job. Thank you, Rob. Thank you. I'm so proud of you. Yeah. Again. I mean, this has been a long.

He's done on the strong the last couple of times. He's not extending them. And you, Rob. I'm so proud of you. I mean, this has been a long... He's done the Strom the last couple of times. He's not extending him. And not just that. He'll just start an inning with Strom and just let him pitch an inning instead of bringing him into his spot and then extending him. I mean, this has been one of the longer conquests of the High Host podcast.

Please stop pitching relievers, too, and exactly get a big out. It's okay. okay i mean years we've talked about this i think since literally since 2017 yeah i believe years years this is as long as anyone to gabe it goes back to gabe it goes back yeah gabe started it yeah um but but i do think that we are seeing down the stretch around here of how he's going to use these guys in the postseason and that's been a fascinating thing to watch. It's not stressful. Again, no stress.

This is a kick-your-feet-up podcast. What a thought. And look, I mean, again, you look at the playoffs last year, and granted, Sir Anthony looked much better. And didn't even really. He just kind of got it together in the playoffs last year, if we remember. But last year

was really Sir Anthony and Alvarado and then you know there was they had guys you know robertson and brogdon all these dudes but like we had two guys we really felt we could count on like we have a chance to go in to this playoffs with again i'm not saying like you you have uh all the confidence in the world matt strong but i have a lot more confidence in matt strong than in you know brad hand last year or you know those that's what I'm talking about, though, right? These examples of the bullpen is better. It is way more talented this year, and Kirkering has a chance to really make it special.

If these guys can kind of just get in line and throw their stuff, it could be a really good bullpen for the playoffs. The pieces are there. Best slider in the history of the Phillies. Can you believe it? Ryan Kirkering. Can't think of anyone else with a the history of the Phillies. Can you believe it? Ryan Kirk. Can't think of anyone else with a slider as good as Ryan Kirk. No, that's it.

It's the only one. No? Yeah. Definitely not a guy that went 48 for 48. No. No. This is better. It's a hunt. Anyway, I'm very, very excited. Very excited. So we're 32 minutes into the podcast. Yes. Two things I want

to talk about. Yes. One, happy birthday. Thanks, buddy. Happy 50th. That was very rude of you to tweet that out. Yes, I saw that. Very rude. I'm heating up on the high-oats podcast. You are. You did a great. Did you see the one I tweeted out last night? Which one? Have you seen the Kevin James new meme? Oh, I did. Yeah.

Everyone's tweeting out there. I'm a big fan of it. It's. Yeah. I'm a big fan of it. It's really funny. I'm a big fan of it. It's really good. We're heating up my... Yes, yes. But happy birthday, buddy.

Thank you. 42, for those wondering. 42, yes. Not 50. Congratulations. Be 50 someday. Is there anyone in sports still playing that is older than you? Rich Hill.

Oh, wow. He's my guy. In all sports? That's it. It's Rich Hill. We don't count hockey. No. Hockey's good. Even though I don't think there are. It's Rich Hill. That's guy in all sports we don't count hockey no even that I don't think

there are it's Rich Hill that's it that's it Nelson Cruz was I don't know if he's still playing anymore no I don't think so

yeah so Rich Hill okay that's it okay that's it and that's probably as you can tell I'm very on top of this

that's probably it this is probably coming to an end this president probably coming to an end so this is when you forever for the rest of my life. When you officially reach.

I'm just dead. I felt this when kids started getting drafted. They were born in the year 2000. That sentence didn't make any sense. But you knew what I meant. Where I was like, wow, this is real. This is definitely real.

It's even more real, buddy. It seems to get worse. It seems to get much, much, wow, this is real. This is definitely real. It's even more real, buddy. No, it seems to get worse. It's really real. It seems to get much, much, much, much, much worse. Thank you. So yes, happy birthday, buddy. Thanks, buddy. And you deserve it, I guess.

Yes, I deserve to not die for another year. I'm very happy about it. One of these years. It's true. One of these years, I will not have a birthday. No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying one of these years, we're going to get you a World Series. Look at that. Wouldn't that be nice? Yeah. What a birthday. One of these years, we're going to get you a World Series. Look at that.

Wouldn't that be nice? Yeah. What a thought. Yeah. Over a Super Bowl. Thanks, buddy. Yeah. Say it right now.

Give me a World Series over a Super Bowl. There you go. I just said it. There you go. I love bullying you. I love this team more than any team ever. Give them a freaking series. Yes.

And then the second thing, total apologies for high hopes night oh buddy yeah we should have led with this yeah yeah when i want to get this one out we're really sorry like so we did not choose for it not to happen correct we were told it wasn't happening we are really sorry like i don't know what else to say i feel horrible i felt like such a jerk about it. Like, it was horrible. Like, we were really bummed. Yes. Yes. So, yeah. It was not totally our call. No. Totally is a word.

It was not our call. It was not our call. But that's okay. It was not our call. So, but either way, I hope that everyone had a good day down there. Hey, I mean, you saw a good game. Yeah, you saw a good game. A little cold.

Fun win. It was cold and wet. A little cold and wet out. Yeah. But we will make it up to you. We'll figure out something. 100%. And I don't know if we can get up playoff tickets.

Probably not. Probably not. But we will make it up. Yes. I promise. And I do feel terrible if you were down there and we weren't. I am really sorry. Yes. From the bottom of my soul. Yes. So Donovan Chesspat. Our bad. That's our bet. Yes.

All right. Take back. We did utter the sentence. If there's a baseball game to be played, we'll be there. Oh, yeah. Yeah. And we were not there. We're not.

It's a really bad job by us. Yeah. We had no excuses. You know, just explanations. All right. I apologize. And so does Jack. And so does the entire High Ops family.

All right. Take back in a sec. Shout. And so does the entire High Ops family. All right. Take it back in a sec. Shout out to the Miller Lite Bar of the Week. We love Miller Lite. Miller Lite. Today's Miller Lite Bar of the Week is Trademans in Philly. Shout out to Trademans Philly, where you can watch all Philly's games with 12-ounce Miller Lite. Can bucket special.

Go to tradesmanphl.com. Shout out to Miller Lite. They should be playing Zach Bryan's Tradesman over and over again.com. Shouts my love. They should be playing Zach Bryan's Tradesman over and over again. Oh, there you go. You should be telling them that. Oh, man.

Good old CB. He put out five new songs over the weekend, too. Just for fun. He's just a monster. I can't wait until you join. I can't wait

until you join the fan club. I will listen to some Zach Bryan for you. Yes. Well, you should. It can be my birthday present to you, to me. It'll be good.

I sent you Hey Driver two weeks ago. I listened to Hey Driver. Yeah, which thing? It was good. Thank you be my birthday present to you, to me. It'll be good. I sent you Hey Driver two weeks ago. I listened to Hey Driver. Yeah, which thing? It was good. Thank you. Again, we'll talk later. We'll talk.

Jack's lifelong conquest of getting me into country music. But it's not country. Yes, yes. Did you hear one like beer drinking? No, it wasn't like real twangy. Yeah, you're right. That's fair. That's fair.

Thank you. Yeah, it's good work by you. All right thank you we'll get there all right maybe okay i'll send you my top 20 okay can't wait yeah it's good we're gonna move on or no you're just staring at me yeah you're staring at me did you say take back i did all. All right. Well, you were giving me those longing eyes. I was like, what am I supposed to do right now? I just want you to be happy. I'll listen to you because I want you to be happy. I'm very happy. Because I love you and I want your happiness.

Yeah. And I'm going to move to 3-0 in our not for air bet tonight. Uh-oh. Uh-oh. All right. I got people asking me what it is. I'm like, I can't say. I'm sorry.

Sorry. All right. So it's your birthday. It is. It is your people asking me what it is. I'm like, I can't say. I'm sorry. Sorry. All right, so it's your birthday. It is. It is your birthday. Yes, it is. Yes. Happy birthday. It's also Walker's six months today.

Hey! Which is phenomenal. Love it. That is awesome. We think we see a tooth. Ooh. So that's big. Is he making any, you know, is he bothering him a little bit, a little cry?

He's a little fussy. A little fussy. He's a little fussy. A little fussy. He's a little fussy. So you know the stress of this, and I'm sure that other parents do. So Friday, Jill had something. So it was on me. Oh, yeah. Yeah, which is his first time.

So it was his first time. I remember the first time like vividly when it was just me for an extended period of time. Yeah, yeah. But it's funny because I do it in the morning. We do our thing. Yeah, yeah. But I know Jill's upstairs. Yeah, but it's funny because I do it in the morning. We do our thing. Yeah, you're like, you do it. But I know Jill's upstairs.

Yeah. So, and she was in town, so it wasn't like super far away. Right. But, yeah, so it's just me and Walk. And, you know, so I was walking around trying to get him to sleep. So I'm missing, obviously, the first like five innings of the game, which I'm handling well. And then. Go to bed. Yeah the game when handling well Go to sleep

You know maybe happy is that I was walking around obviously in Westchester and a Lot of Phillies on people's TVs and houses. I do love that. Which I was like, you know what?

Strong. So happy. Yeah. So happy. Because I always think that we're the only ones watching the Phillies. I'm always so surprised.

I'm like, oh, you love the Phillies? Wow. I do too. That's so cool. Want to hang out? So I get home and just me and him

watching him. He's starting to sit up which is good. He's locked in on the TV. JT hits a three-run home run, and I look over, and he's smiling. And I was like, wow, we did it. It makes Jill so mad. We don't really have him watching TV really at all,

but he gets really invested in Phies games and like not much else that's amazing I mean it's the best I told you and it happened again yesterday we're watching football football's on and Zoe's like go Phillies and it's like it's not like that's all she says like it's only Phillies

don't correct her no I didn't yeah go Phillies yeah damn straight go I'm starting to turn the go like, yeah, Go Phillies. Yeah, Go Phillies. Yeah, Go Phillies. Whatever. I'm trying. Yeah, damn straight, Go Phillies. I'm starting to turn the Go Birds thing into a Go Phillies thing, by the way. Oh, I see. That's not bad. Well, because like-

I'm surprised you didn't try this sooner. This feels like such an obvious- No, I'm late. I'm late to my own bit that I- I'm like actually shocked by this, yeah. It's late to a bit that I should have created two years ago. Yeah, at least. Yeah, at least.

Honestly, at least. But I now Go Phillies people. I'm happy. That's good. I think that's your happy place. Thanks. I feel like that's the right area for you to be Honestly. At least. But I now go Phil's baby. I'm happy. That's good. I think that's your happy place. That's the right area for you to be in. Thank you. So ultimately, though, the first experience, the solo dad, okay.

Yeah, it was fine. Because there is something, especially when they're little, because they're a baby, where you're like, okay, so all on me. This kid lives or dies today because of me? It's a weird one it's a weird feeling yeah well and he's he's kind of like me and jill where just very go with the flow like does not like we went to our first wedding i don't think he even knew we were gone you know and it was like very not like that yes it's like it's like you didn't have one cry like where's

where's like where's mom and dad zoe would have would have been inconsolable the moment we left would immediately not care but but for us leaving disaster we would leave she'd be like time to play almost almost running a board in there it was not good yeah it was it was all good uh and uh phil's one and it was jt's first uh i know dude that was about as shocking a home run as i like i thought there was no chance won. And it was JT's first. I know. Dude, that was about as shocking a home run as I, like, I thought there was no chance. Dude, it was legitimately his first home run with runners in scoring position this year. I know. Isn't that insane? It's almost.

It was also at home. It was like, what happened? We're like 156 games into the year. With the first time with a runner on second base or more. That's pretty crazy. That's insane. But he actually, dude, JT looks really good. Yeah.

No, dude, ever since that last road trip, he's kind of just carried it over at home. And the thing that I appreciate about JT, and I'm starting to appreciate it more, is I've become a huge, huge, huge, huge fan of the JT fist bump. Whether it's getting the big hit late. Oh, I like this.

And giving him a little bit. Yeah, it's a good take. It's a little jittery. Yeah, it is. It's a little jitterish. I like this. Yeah, it's a good take. It's a little jitter. Yeah, it is. It's a little jitterish. I like this. Or he gets a big strikeout. Never mind. He gets a big strikeout, you know, on a pitch that he called. On he caught. Yeah, he caught the strikeout.

No, but like he lets out a fist bump. He gets the moment. Yeah. No, I like that take. And I think as these games get bigger and as we get into these postseason games, the JT fist bump is going to be very very exciting. I mean look he did have a good postseason last year. He had moments. Yeah he really did and you know game one star like if they

had actually pulled together and won the world series like he was one of the front runners to win MVP and to your point like it really does look like he's driving the baseball again. Like it looks like he's making solid contact consistently, and that's not something we've seen all season for him. The road, home road, just over a stretch of a few weeks,

it feels like he's really locked in. The only guy right now who my antenna's up on, and not from the standpoint of I think he's bad, I think he's just a little bit tired, his thought. Of course, and he's been struggling. And his strikeout rate has gone up by a lot. But everyone else, I feel, I had it in here, but even Turner in the 0-20 streak,

it was like he still looks mostly fine. And he smoked the ball late yesterday. He smoked the ball early. It was right at the third baseman. Or no, it was after the double. Whatever. But he smoked a couple balls yesterday. So yeah, Schwarber, I'm never really totally concerned

about Turner. I know he's over 20, but I didn't feel that terrible. Castie has been Mr. Streaks this year. He's been phenomenal. And I hope they don't move him up. No! If you look at his, and it's not a huge sample size, it's only something like 20

to 30 games, somewhere in that range, but his numbers in the 6, 7, and 8 hole this year are like light years better than higher in the lamp. Like, he's just been better when he's been lower in the lamp. I don't know what to say. It's strange. Well, and I think he used it as motivation. Clearly. Which is good.

Sometimes you've got to motivate players in different ways. Use whatever you can, man. Like, anything you can grab onto and use as motivation, use it. Boehm, I'm never totally concerned about because I think whenever there's an RBI... Always put the bat on the ball when you need it. Yeah, when there's an RBI to go get, I feel good about Alec Boehm getting that RBI. JT was the one part of the lineup where it's like,

I just have no idea. When am I going to get here? The way he's hit against the Mets gives me so much hope heading into the postseason. If you get... If Stott's your biggest question mark... Exactly. And even then, Stott, you still like

He's a flip of the switch. Yeah, exactly. Because he's got such a good eye, such good ability to put the bat on the ball like that. He could be fine. Dude, I'm Yeah. I know Ryan Kirk right? Yeah, buddy. Can this pitching staff just freaking

Can Nola just get hot? I know, dude. Maybe it's Sanchez. I don't know. But, yeah, I'm very positive with how they're playing heading into the playoffs. Yeah. Which is a big difference. Again, they've won 8 of 10, man.

Like, they're just winning games. They are just winning games. And maybe this is what we talked about, where they have the ability to flip the switch. Yeah, and it looks like they are. And again, they're so talented. There's so much talent. Oh, by the way, with Stodd, too, one thing that I don't think we've given, you know, with the slump, he is still, and we have not talked about it enough,

he has turned into one of the best defensive second basemen in baseball, at least certainly that I've seen this year. He is phenomenal out there, like an elite defensive second baseman. I mean, he's going to finish top three in gold glove. I don't know what everyone else is. I haven't paid attention to everyone else. But just in terms of watching baseball this year, I have not seen many second basemen who are as consistent

and as good as him defensively. Good team, man. Yeah. They are a good team. They're well put together all of a sudden. All of a sudden. Dude, I mean, they can roll out the best defensive outfield we've ever seen if they want to.

They've got a really strong middle. Any night they play, they're going to have a strong up the middle at all positions. Alec Boehm is just no problem. He's going to make the play. Harper is a fine first baseman. He's not great at picking it, but he's a fine first baseman. Yeah, but he's even developing faster than I thought.

He's getting faster. The whole thing he's developing great at picking it, but he's up fine for his baseman. Yeah, but he's even developing faster than I thought. He's getting faster. The whole thing he's developing. The footwork, everything. They're a really solid defensive team out of nowhere. Hold on. Hold on. Couple things. Didn't mention Cassidy. You're going to win a gold glove obviously. No errors this year. No errors for Cassidy. How unbelievable is that? He's the only place.

I know. And obviously, like I said, some really great throws this year. It's not a zero with the arm. It's unbelievable. I think Schwarber's been mostly fine. Fine too. Yeah. That catch he made the other night where he's running back.

He almost threw that guy out. I know. I know. I thought there was, because he was like, it seemed so nonchalant. I was like, there's no way he's going to get this.

It's like going over the fence, right? And then he just caught him like, oh, all right. Way to go, Kyle. Nice job, Kyle. And the last thing here on the defense it's so fun that we exist in a world in where

like Johan Rojas is going to start game one of the wildcard of a playoff series except for the Nemo ball well that's so funny I was about to say it was the single most shocking thing all weekend was him misplaying that ball like when he comes in and then I was like I honestly was like

was this a glitch in my TV or something? It was the first time we've seen that. It was the first time he doesn't get the perfect read on the ball. It was shocking. He didn't drop the ball in Washington. Dropped it, but I'm talking about reads. I'm talking about where he went the wrong way to start and didn't get to a ball because

of it. That never felt so strange seeing that. I will say that is the hardest, uh, bad at ball to read. And it's impossible. It's very hard. Yeah.

It's very hard. So, um, but yeah, yeah. Next Tuesday, right? Next Tuesday,

buddy. This is, this is, yeah. Next Tuesday. Isn't that crazy? Yeah. We'll be there.

Oh yeah. We'll be there. Every home playoff game I'm going to like, that's it. That's what we? And we'll be there. Oh, yeah, we'll be there. Every home playoff game I'm going to. That's it. That's what we're doing. We have to. You're going to be horrible the next day on the air.

Dude, so trust me. I've thought a lot about this. I'm just going with it. Because I'm going to be a disaster. I'm going to be a disaster. I mean, this schedule is already crushing my soul every day. Think about these. We're doing pods after these games.

It's going to be tough. It's going to be tough. You know what we could do, though? I mean, I'm just thinking out loud. I know we're still technically still doing the podcast. But you could do. This pod is. I know.

You could do Final Out with me. Oh, that's an interesting idea. So you could do Final Out with me, then we could just Extend it or whatever Oh that's perfect We could have followers And all that stuff I love that idea And we don't have to do a pod

That's perfect There you go Because we don't want a final out And then a pod Because I'm going to have to do a final out Yeah and if you're going to do a final out I don't want to wait two hours Exactly

Okay I love this I'm in This is great If we're at the ballpark You can hang out And do a final out with me Yes I was so excited

Yeah look at that Oh my god I'm so ready, dude. I, like, I am... Turned out I didn't want to fast forward through September this last coming. It's been very fun. I've never said that. I'm really enjoying it.

We've never said that. But, like, I'm, like, so ready for the bank. Yes. And the playoffs. Like, I just... I've... Last night did it for me. Yeah.

Since it ended last year, it's like all I've wanted is to be back in that environment and we're like there dude like we're there and it feels like the fan base the crowds are not very big over the weekend now that was because of

obviously the weather too but it feels like everyone's kind of in that boat like even that brave series there's like 30,000 there it's like just just get us there just get us there

just get us there dude yeah I can't wait can't wait I'm so excited now don't lose don't like I'm so excited Don't lose I know it's probably the Diamondbacks Oh I know don't

I mean that's a disaster It would be But it would be classic It would not be And look it is baseball Last year the Cardinals Were like oh we get the fills And then we're moving on and facing the next round.

And that didn't happen because that's baseball. The Mets won 101 games last year and lost a three-game series to the freaking Padres. Like, that's what happens. Baseball is tough. Playoff baseball is chaos. And, again, like Zach Gallin and Merrill Kelly, like, you could just lose two games.

Like, that could be it. But I believe in this team. I believe in this team. Exactly. That's not games. That could be it. But I believe in this team. Will not exist. I believe in this team. No, that's not happening. That's not happening. Final point on Stott and Turner. They're both going to swipe 30 bags.

They're already there, right? I think Turner's won a win. Okay, so Stott got there. Stott got there. Yeah, it's unbelievable. Dude, again, baseball hasn't gotten much right. But the new rules crushed it. Perfect, dude.

I mean, have you once this season, like, and we've talked so much about the pitch clock and obviously talking about the Seals. Have you once this season been like, I wish the shift were there? Not once have I had that thought. Yeah, but I always wonder. It feels like, isn't that Bracey's? I thought Austin Riley was basically playing shortstop. I feel like these teams are pushing it as far as they can anyway.

But still, I feel like it has not, at any point, been a negative impact of not having the shift at all. I've not noticed it once. Did you notice the bigger bases at all? No, but they're running, so maybe. That's good. Yeah, that's great. That's what Theo said.

Yeah. Just trust Theo, man. If Theo says it's going to work, it's going to work. I agree. Come on. What more does that guy have to prove? Red Sox looks like they might hire Sam Folt. I know.

After Shadot Targahayim getting railroaded in Boston. I mean, they bring him in. They're like, got the team, trade Mookie. He does all this. And they're like, all right, get out. And he's actually competing with way less. I mean, what a bunch of, like, you know my thing with baseball owners. Thank God we have John Middleton here.

Like, those owners are, I mean, and they gave him titles. They won four titles. I'm sure I would love those guys forever if they were my owners. But, like, to cheap out like that on the Mookie thing and. Oh, the Mookie thing was outrageous. That's a disgrace. And Xander. And Xander.

Disgrace, the way they handled it. And. Chaim didn't do a great job, but he was the, he did get screwed with this, too. I feel bad for the guy. And hire Chaim. Dude, in a second second why wouldn't you right he's a smart baseball man so

I actually had this because it's like more of a general baseball thought but it feels like we are trending away from like the super nerdy

like front offices like I know they're still gonna exist like in the Rays and Brewers and whatnot but it seems like at least for the big market teams

like you have to go spend money. The Red Sox trying to build a raise is stupid. It was dumb. Just go spend money. But Farhan is kind of on the hot seat, it seems like, out in San Francisco. There's value in being able to find under-the-radar guys. Being able to find these guys that turn into studs and whatnot.

You have to be able to go get stars. When you have the money to do it. Again, it's unfair to your fans to do it that way. The reason the Rays do it that way is because they have to. It's because they don't have the money to do it any other way. Well, at least they're building a new stadium. Yeah, well, good. They should. Build a stadium. Inject some money into the franchise any other way. Well, at least they're building a new stadium. Yeah, well, good. They should. Build a stadium.

Inject some money into the franchise. Do something. These other teams don't have to. Look, a lot of teams spend less than they should, period. But if you're a big market team, I'm with you, dude. There should be a floor that you have to be at that's higher than the other teams.

So, yeah, it just feels like there's maybe a little shift here. Yeah. With like, go pay for players. Yeah. Steve Cohen came in and they were like, ooh, we gotta do that. And it hasn't worked. But again, like, I mean, throwing a lot of money around. He sure is. He's making those other owners look, you know, like

a lot of those guys, like the A's in these teams that spend no money, like, you look like extra cheap when a guy out there is spending half a billion dollars, you know? Yep. And then final thing to take back is there's one game out. Like, there's one. The magic number's one, right?

The magic number is two for wild card one, right? Mm-hmm. Which one do you, I mean, do you celebrate tomorrow? It's a great question. So I am more waiting to get the first wild card to celebrate. So that's an important one, but I think you celebrate when you clinch the playoffs. Like, I am more waiting to get the first wild card to celebrate. So that's an important one, but I think you celebrate when you clinch the playoffs.

Like, I think it's just, you know, but we know they're going to get the four seed. Like, it's just, I don't know. What happens if you go out, you know,

I just, I mean, honestly, look, look, last year you celebrated, this year, and I know this team celebrated, this year, you know,

you can go less on the celebration. I don't know, man, that's kind of the MO of this team. I know it is. I know it is. I'm saying it's fans. Like, honestly, I'm not even like, I'll be like, yay, we made the playoffs.

Like, let's go. Last year was like. Last year was celebrating. We finally did this. Like, this 11 years of depression is over. Like, this year, it's like, cool. You did your job. Yeah.

Like we said, we're just waiting for the playoffs. Like, we're there. I have nothing to worry about right now. You're going to make it in. Congrats, but I'm not going to throw a party because you made the playoffs. Go win the playoffs. It's a different standard. The standard is the standard?

Yes, and it's a different standard. That's right. I thought that was a really good quote by him. What? The main thing and the standard, and they could be different things. Winning's always the main thing. Right. And you can not play up to your standard and still win.

The whole thing, I thought it was clever. Yeah. Just gets it. No, it's good. I've heard a lot more this year of winning's all that matters when you're not playing very well. Whereas last year, didn't hear that. So we'll see if that changes. We'll see where that goes.

Yeah. Yeah. No more Eagles talk. No one cares. No one cares. No one cares. The Phillies playoffs are about to start. I mean,

go on. The Eagles are on the back burner. Prediction. Do the Phillies take over the town again? Are we, remember last year when like the Eagles are undefeated and we talked like zero Eagles on WIP. We went full days during Eagle season

while they're playing games, mentioning them like once. Does that happen again? So I think it doesn't until the NLCS. I think what happened last year was because it was the, yeah. And they're playing a bunch of like tomato cans of teams.

The Eagles were. The Eagles were. The Eagles were. So, I mean, this year we have the Dolphins game is in there which will be a fun one. No, that's a good point.

The Jets game doesn't have as much buzz because Zach Wilson is horrible. But yeah, no, I mean, when the city gets behind

the baseball team, there's nothing better. So, they will. Let's go, dude. Imagine if we win a World Series. Can we win a freaking

World Series, please? Relax. I say can we. I know. I say can we. We're a one game at a time podcast. We've always been that. We're never looking to add to other years or other things. No one ever said, I can't wait for the 2026. There we go. Alright. Is that what we got?

We're a one game at a time podcast. There we go. No. All right. So we got, we're one game at a time. There we go. Sounds like a title. It sounds a lot like a title. I like it a lot more than a happy 50th birthday, James Seltzer, which I'm sure was another option to the title. So we'll see which one.

Yeah, we'll find out. It's always a thrill to see which one gets, gets chosen. All right. Uh, you got any final thoughts? Uh, I look forward to clinch day,

but this time next Tuesday, get ready. Let's go. Get ready. Awesome. All right. We'll be back later in the week at some point. Go Phils. How about that?

When you see someone walking down the street, just look at them, give them a look in their eyes and go, go Phils. Yeah. No more of this go birds nonsense. Go Phils. He's for it himself.